Last 8

Tyson is no different than any other child on the planet-- he's been counting down the days until his birthday.  However, this year's countdown had one extra thing to obsess over, one thing that ripped my heart out: the fear that people would forget about his day because of the one before it.  In his prayer on Saturday night, Tyson thanked Heavenly Father that one person remembered (since Uncle Steve had just called to ask suggestions for gifts), and prayed that more would know that his birthday was coming up.  Randy and I got to work, asking all those that we thought might be able to help.  Typical, our families did not disappoint-- they came through with more love and support than we had envisioned and hoped for.  Friday, October 13th, was a birthday that my Tyson had prayed about-- it.was.awesome!

Aunt Danielle had immediately gotten on Amazon to send him a gift in the mail, since he'd checked the mail every day for more than a week.  He immediately opened that one when it arrived on Thursday.  Since it was Legos, I asked him to wait to put them together, which would happen many more times over the weekend-- he LOVES Legos.  From then on, the gifts that were brought from so many were staggered in the most amazingly choreographed way-- totally unplanned.  He had time to play with each gift before another one came.  What made it even more fun was having cousins surrounding him and playing with each of his gifts with him.  Not only did the gifts make him feel special, but the cousins' reaction and excitement to play made the day feel full of joy, something I had been praying could happen after the day he had endured before.

Many family members stayed for his Baptism day on Saturday.  Many stayed, many friends came!  Like the viewing for my sweet Caden, the Relief Society room was standing room only for my sweet Tyson.  My heart was so full as I saw people file in while I played the piano prelude, at one point feeling the threatening of tears as I peered over the top of the piano at all of the love and support for my Ty, my Ender, the last of our 8's.  The tender feelings felt in that room for two very special, yet very different occasions are very precious to me.  When love is pure, it feels beautiful in sorrow and in joy.

We felt the loss of Caden, but we also felt comfort and truth-testifying power of the Holy Ghost.  It stung to remember how much Caden wanted to baptize Tyson, but we know that he was with us on this very special day.  He loves us, and we love him.  He misses us; we miss him more.  Our thoughts will always be with him, and he will always be in our hearts.  And on this day, Tyson followed through with his decision to be baptized the newest member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, beginning his path back to Heaven, back to our Heavenly Father, and back to our Caden.  I am so proud of you, Tyson.  Remember what Caden wrote in his scriptures: It is safer to hold to the rod.

Happy Birthday, Tyson Darwin Dirks

It's GREAT to be EIGHT!!!