Courtesy of Chaney Larsen
Exactly a year ago this February, our youngest son, Waylon Weldon Larsen, came into this world. I remember the morning of the scheduled c-section vividly.
I had so many emotions leading up to this point that I broke down in tears as we arrived at the hospital. Joyful tears because we had made it this far, scared tears because of the unknown and just wanting him to be ok, and excited tears because we were finally going to meet this amazing little human being at last.
My husband held my hand and said everything was going to be ok. He was by my side every step of the way, and I’m so grateful for all he did.
I had made it through in-utero surgery to close the opening in Waylon’s back in December, avoided a preterm labor scare over my birthday the first week of February, and lived in a city for months on bed rest 1,400 miles away from home.
I’ve been told many times that I am superwoman, that I am so strong, but I know so many others have endured so much more, and I really just admire everyone that keeps fighting the good fight. Life will hand you lots of lemons, but it’s what you do with them that counts.
My strength came from my faith, and my support system from so many family, friends, and strangers. When people tell me how strong I am for what I’ve been through, I think of my good friend that lost her 6 month old baby boy, my father that’s fought cancer for many years, and all of the broken homes with little ones that are just trying to survive.
I am weak, but he is strong, the Bible hymn goes. I am weak, I know that, but through him I am given strength. My superhero is my heavenly father, and I have so many heroes.
My superheroes are all of the mothers raising their kids to be the best possible human beings they can be, the nurses and frontline workers that have worked tirelessly during these hard times, and last, but certainly not least, my boys are my biggest superheroes because they both bring so much joy, laughter, and love to this world.
We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and too often we focus on the weaknesses that we have. We must constantly feed our strengths for only then can you become someone’s superhero. My boys will know that they have the strength within them to change the world, be more than they ever imagined, and ultimately be a light and a guiding force for those around them.
Psalms 46:1-5 says, ” God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the Earth be moved, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the dwelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall come to her aid at early dawn.
There were plenty of uncertainties last year with Waylon’s condition and the virus that shook the world, but through any sign of trouble, we must always remember that God is our refuge and strength. We can’t live in fear, and we must embrace the unknown. Over 66% of babies diagnosed with spina bifida are terminated, and through Waylon’s story we hope to change that statistic. He has been a light to our family, and will always be momma’s little superhero.
