As I sit here this morning looking at and editing photos of the past few days, my heart is full of emotion and love as I remember the precious moments that have been mine this past week.
Owen Daniel Konshuk came into this world on the 14th of October at 4:39 a.m. He was born in Olympia Wa. He came quickly. We got the call at 3:30 a.m. that they were on their way to the hospital. By the time we were in the car and on the road, he was here. We arrived in Olympia when he was just 6 hours old. It was a beautiful fall day with light sparkling through the autumn trees and giant cedars anchoring the beautiful parking area when we pulled in. Walking into the quiet, dark room of the hospital we were overwhelmed by the feelings of beauty that greeted us. A tiny boy, and his loving parents, so filled with beauty and love. There are not words known to man that describe the precious and sacred feeling in that room. After many hugs and tears, we both held our sweet Owen close and just felt of his Heavenly presence. His mommy, Dani, was the most beautiful I had ever seen her. Sitting in a hospital bed, in a hospital gown, with no makeup, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, and glowing with a beautiful light. When I told her how beautiful she was, she said, I have always wanted this moment...I have always wanted to be a mother. And so she had realized her dream, and the beauty of the moment was something I will never forget. With my sweet, gentle son by her side, she had done what she did not think she could do...survive natural chidlbitrth! Of course that was not the plan, but he came so quickly that there was no choice!! And so Owen arrived in his own way, in his own time, and with the help of angels.
The next two days were just magical for us. We stayed on the campus of the hospitalin a sweet little cottage called the Sunshine House where families of people in the hospital can stay. It was cozy and everyone there was so sweet. Walking back and forth between our room and the hospital was a sensory delight. Brad and I felt like we were staying in the enchanted forest. Birds and squirrels, and giant cedars and the feeling that can only exist on the coast, lush, and beautiful. It was as if we were in the bosom of the earth and we were being hugged. The morning of the 3rd day, I arose early and walked over to the hospital in the dark to hold and love Owen before the world woke up and there would be other distractions. I felt the Love of My Savior, Jesus Christ as I walked through the beautiful trees and felt the peace of his creation all around me. I could feel the arms of his love and his gentle touch caressing me. I marveled that I could be so blessed to be there and join my beautiful son and his beautiful wife for this most sacred moment in their lives, becoming parents for the first time. As i held my tiny grandson on my chest, in the wee morning hours and whispered loving words to him, I closed my eyes and memorized every moment. Every sound, the feeling of the weight of his body on my chest, the smell of his tiny head the softness of his beautiful skin, the strength of his tiny fingers as they graspedmy finger, the sound of each little breath. I knew I would have to leave that day, and all I would take was the memory of this moment. I truly believe that children carry heaven with them when they come to this earth. And I could feel heaven most perfectly as I sat there in the quiet of the hospital holding him that morning.
Now I am home...and missing him terribly. He will be here in two weeks to celebrate with our family! Until then, I am receiving daily videos, photos, and face time that keep us connected! It’s so hard, I want to reach in the screen of the computer and touch him, but I just close my eyes and remember the feeling, and I am at peace! My hear is filled with gratitude and I thank God for the safe arrival of Owen Daniel Konshuk into this word!...He is angel #9, and our 7th grandson! Truly we are blessed!!
