27 weeks and 5 days was as long as he could contain himself…he was in a hurry and he wasn’t waiting around! I hardly got to experience being pregnant, very different to my previous pregnancy which reached term plus one week. Our tiny, unexpected early arrival weighed in at a see-through 2lb 9oz and spent two months in neonatal care. He was let home to us at 4lbs weight, a few days before Christmas; the best Christmas present ever! I slept on a mattress on our kitchen floor for months to ensure his little body was kept sufficiently warm, feeding him every two hours.
But he decided early on that premature was not going to be a word in his vocabulary. He soon caught up with children of his age and cast off the ‘pre’ revealing a ‘mature’ character, deeply sensitive to the pain of others. He went out of his way to include shy or excluded children into his circle of friends. He owned up to things he didn’t do in school, taking the blame to save his class suffering the consequences because the guilty child hadn’t the guts to own up. This strength of character was something to envy and soon meant he was a target for bullies.
He has struggled through a deeply challenging teenage stage and a school system that all but failed him but we weathered the journey as a family unit and now know that the best learning comes from the greatest challenges! He has a mature outlook on life way beyond his years. He is warm and kind, he cares for the environment and animal welfare. He reads Echart Tolle and Thich Nhat Hanh.
He faces exams shortly which have the power, in one fell swoop to decide his immediate future but I know beyond doubt that he is more than the outcome of any exam.
He has an innate character that many mature adults never achieve and which I know will help him fulfill his purpose in life!
Thank you for reading and if your son or daughter has struggled because of bullying, please share your experiences with me in the comments below.
Much love,
Marie xx
May 18, 2018 at 10:05 pm
Good luck on exams. It sounds like he has a bright future that is just beginning to blossom.
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May 18, 2018 at 10:09 pm
Thank you so much Donna, please keep him in your thoughts from 6th to 16th June. It has been a long journey but I have hope! Xx
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May 19, 2018 at 3:12 am
Yes. I will.
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May 19, 2018 at 5:39 am
Thank you! X
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May 18, 2018 at 11:48 pm
I know the struggle of a premature child but it is so awesome when they bloom and surpass their peers who were born at full term. My son is 2x the height of all his friends and to look you would never guess he was born at 30 weeks. They are amazing fighters aren’t they?
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May 19, 2018 at 5:38 am
Hi Jay-lyn, that must have been a worrying time for you! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with me. Prems really are amazing, resilient fighters and so endearing!
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May 19, 2018 at 3:30 pm
Oh they certainly are. And as the pictures I post of T can attest he most definitely does not look like he was a premie!
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May 20, 2018 at 2:52 am
Great post Marie,
Unfortunately my little daughter & son, both born a little premie of their expected birth dates, a year apart from each other, were born sleeping…
Their big sister though, is an RN in Neonatal Critical Care Unit!
Their little sister born a year later at 32 weeks is now a Mum of 3!
I am truly delighted that your son has made such amazing progress & is now in adulthood! 😀
Jennifer
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May 20, 2018 at 7:51 am
Thank you Jennifer for sharing your story and I can’t begin to imagine how deeply challenging these times were for you. It is no wonder you feel so blessed and proud of your daughters and grandchildren! Your warm and encouraging posts show the deep learning that is part of the process of moving forward. Our son’s exams begin on 6th of June and results are on 15th of August but no matter what the outcome I believe his character will stand to him. Much love, Marie xx
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May 21, 2018 at 1:57 am
Thank you Marie, yes it’s love, kindness & compassion that really is so important & as you mentioned he has these in bountiful measures 😀 this will take him far.
God’s rich blessings to your family…
Jennifer
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May 21, 2018 at 8:13 am
I believe that everything is for a reason and in its own time. Thanks Jennifer for your very welcome visit. Xx
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May 22, 2018 at 12:07 am
Absolutely! The titles of my books are similar. 😀 Jennifer
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June 19, 2018 at 7:29 pm
He sounds like a wonderful young man, you must be proud. How did his exams go?? 🙂
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June 19, 2018 at 10:16 pm
That’s so nice of you to say Brenda and thanks for asking. Yes I am very proud of the person he is and how he treats people. He managed to sit all his exams, which was an achievement in itself – having missed a lot of time at school. I can’t even hazard a guess at results but I know things will come right for him in their own time. Results out 15.8.18! I hope you are doing well on new meds and still enjoying creative writing course.
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June 20, 2018 at 12:59 pm
I’m sure they will come right for him! I am enjoying my course (thank you for remembering) and have one more week to go. It’s been a challenge, but a good one. =)
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June 20, 2018 at 1:03 pm
I’m delighted that it has stretched you and been enjoyable! Maybe you would share a few tips you picked up along the way? I’m a big fan of “travel-size” learning!😁😥
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June 20, 2018 at 1:05 pm
I’d love to do that. Let me give it some thought and I’ll get back to you! =)
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June 20, 2018 at 1:13 pm
Brilliant Brenda..I’m looking forward to your insights already!
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