The theme for today is: Father’s Day.

Fathers. Sons. Zach was hit and miss remembering Father’s Day. That’s OK. If/when he would remember, he’d give me a big hug and say, “I love you paps!” or “I love you pappy!” That was enough for me. You see, for him, every day was Father’s Day.  He said “I love you pappy” …or “paps!” to me every day. That was enough for me.

Every day is the Father’s Day. I have a Father. Zach has a Father. We have a Father. We have an ‘Abba’ Father who says “I love you” every day. Every. Single. Day. When I speak to other fathers on Father’s Day, or any other day for that matter, it doesn’t take long before we lament our failures. We feel like failures. We look back and wish we could have been better fathers. We look forward and hope we can be better fathers. Fatherhood is a challenge. Fatherhood is trying. Fatherhood is rewarding. Fatherhood is a blessing. Fatherhood is a calling. Fatherhood is worth it.

Fathers try and fail. Fathers try and succeed. Fathers do right. Fathers do wrong. Fathers forgive. Fathers are forgiven. Fathers laugh. Fathers cry. Fathers are strong. Fathers are weak. Fathers remember to pray. Fathers forget to pray. Fathers need a Father. Fathers have a Father. An Abba Father. A faithful Father. A patient Father. A merciful Father. A loving Father. A Father who is in Heaven. A Father who is approachable and available every day. Every. Single. Day.

So, this may sound strange, but Happy Father’s Day Zach! I love you. Abba loves you. That’s enough for us. Every day is Father’s Day.

Today’s Updates:

Zach’s had a fairly good couple of days, where he made some good progress but also battled more difficulties. Zach is still having episodes of restlessness with high heart rates daily, so he’s been on and off of continuous IV sedation. The doctor wants to get Zach off of his sedating medications, but he’ll do so slowly so that Zach will hopefully tolerate the changes. Please pray that Zach’s agitation may lessen, and that the efforts to decrease his sedation and pain medications may prove successful.

Zach got another EEG yesterday (a test that measures brain waves and checks for seizures), which determined that his episodes of agitation are not seizures. Zach has had a couple EEGs in Winnipeg which showed the same results, and we are thankful to hear this news again! Zach has also slowly improved with following commands. Today, Zach opened his mouth, stuck out his tongue, and raised his right arm on command. It does take a lot of effort for Zach to process and respond to commands, and he is not yet able to consistently follow all our commands. We are so thankful for his willingness and progress!

Yesterday they started “capping” Zach’s trach, where they cover Zach’s trach tube with a cap so that Zach only breathes through his mouth and nose. This is one of the steps they take to see how Zach does without any trach, with the hope of one day removing it. Yesterday, he was capped for a 30-minute trial, and today, he has gone over eight hours with his trach capped. Zach has been doing very well with these breathing/capping trials, and the respiratory therapists are very impressed!

Zach’s trach being capped also gives him the opportunity to use his voice. The nurses ask Zach regularly if he can say specific words, but it appears very hard for Zach right now. Just this afternoon, Alice got Zach to say “mom” very softly, which was so exciting to see!

Please thank our Father for his healing hand on Zach, and ask God with us for more improvements in Zach’s brain and breathing, especially that Zach will regain his ability to communicate. We lift our hearts in praise again as we know that every good thing comes from His fatherly hand!

Megan’s song recommendation for today is “A Million Names” by Jeremy Camp.

Abba, Father, let me be
Yours and Yours alone.
May my will for ever be
Evermore Your own.

Never let my heart grow cold,
Never let me go.
Abba, Father, let me be
Yours and Yours alone.
By: Steve Fry

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6)

Abba, Father,” he said, “Everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36)