Good Friday

The following was orignally posted on Friday April 6, 2007. I thought I would "recycle" my Good Friday post from last year.

Good Friday
The death of Jesus:"From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit." Matthew 27:45-50

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Good Friday really does have a different feel, doesn’t it? It’s somber and reflective; there is a grand celebration on the horizon (this coming Sunday), but today is different. Today we aren't visited by the Easter Bunny, we don’t exchange gifts or buy cards. Today we reflect on the cost of our salvation.

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Kyle and Daddy were reunited...and celebrated the occasion by Kangarooing this afternoon! Joe was pleasantly surprised by how big Kyle has gotten. Kyle's weight is up to 2lb 5 oz. He has actually doubled in size from his lowest weight (not his birth weight)...at one point Kyle was down to 1lb. 2 oz.

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We received the results of one of Kyle's tests, and he takes after his great grandpa Ted, in that he has Reflux. Reflux is when liquid from the stomach comes back up the esophagus (food pipe). The doctors discovered that Kyle's milk has been coming back up and entering his lungs, which has contributed to his increased breathing difficulties lately and most likely his bouts with Pneumonia. To treat his reflux, the doctors changed the positioning of Kyle's feeding tube. Instead of going directly into his stomach, the tube now goes directly to his intestines. Also, Kyle has been put on continuous feeds. Instead of being fed every three hours, Kyle will continuously have a small amount of milk pumped into him. Reflux is a condition that Kyle should grow out of. The muscles at the lower end of the esophagus should become tight keeping the food from backing up. In premature infants and even some term infants, these muscles are not yet fully developed and coordinated, but should be soon.

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I won’t wish you a “Happy Good Friday,” because even anticipating the joy of Christ’s resurrection, this isn’t a happy day. Instead, I hope you’ll have a reflective Good Friday. In two days, when we celebrate the most amazing event in human history, our greetings of “Happy Easter!” will be all the more meaningful if we’ve first taken time to ponder the sober message of Good Friday.

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Have a reflective Good Friday, then, and a blessed Easter.

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Much Love,

Jennifer, Joe, Madison and Kyle