The pregnancy had been going well the doctors said. I had a concert to do. It was a long, rainy day but music goes on. We left there about 11. At 5AM I woke up and looked over at her. She did not look well. I made arrangements for dropping off my daughter and headed to the hospital.

My wife had begun premature labor. She looked like she was gaining weight before my very eyes. Finally doctors came in and said “this is beyond our capabilities here”. The decision was to send her to Hanover. AS they readied her for the ambulance ride, I singed papers and headed downstairs to my car and took off. I was there long before the ambulance.

The next few days were a time warp, but one night the doctors came to me and said we are going to operate to save your wife. No mention was made of the child. They were going to do a C-section and they agreed to let me be there. I watched the whole thing, holding her hand. They took the baby and put her through a window. I sat there, holding hands.

A while later a doctor came to me. “Do you want to see your daughter?” I was confused. She had not breathed. She was dark blue. I said “yes” and prepared my heart. There under bright lights was my daughter. “She’s alive?” I asked as I looked at the monitors and lights. “Yes” they said.

It was a long year for myself and my wife at the time, as she spent that year on oxygen, medicines and treatments.

We brought her and my son home the same day. For Cass’ birthday she and her brother were brought home. Her a year old and him, but a few days old.

Cass fought then and she fights now. Somehow her redemption from depth has strengthened her.

Even this week she enters a new phase of her life. Life did not go the way she thought or the way she planned, but she is establishing herself in work and in her process of life.

I am proud of her. Not because she “just survived” but because she is making the choice to help herself and to help others. She has reached out to the grandchildren in our life, whether withe presents or time. Introducing them to thing she has enjoyed.

Perhaps one of the proudest days was her graduation. For many reasons it took longer but one day “she walked” with the class.

Happy birthday, Cass!