I just got back from Gage’s award ceremony for his grade at his school. In years past (2 years of Kindergarten) it was always bitter sweet because although he had accomplished a lot for him, those years were hard (or so I thought). It had bothered me in the past that Gage didn’t get any awards for things like reading, citizenship, and honor roll and just had his name read out loud for all to hear.

This year? It doesn’t bother me a bit. He’s alive. While him being promoted to 2nd grade without any thought if he should be held back is wonderful, it’s secondary to him surviving this year. Literally. Surviving.

Incidentally they did read a few awards after calling his name and while that makes me proud, it doesn’t have any bearing on why the tears started flowing. It was a hard year for him and the fact that he survived 5 surgeries, kidney failure and emergency dialysis, roughly 76 dialysis treatments, loads of med changes including a growth hormone, and kept his head above water educationally is astonishing to me.

I cried because I’m so grateful he is alive to ponder 2nd grade. I cried about the incredible gift Jody has given our family. Given my boy. Life. Normalcy, within our standards.

My boy is a second grader with a new (gently used) kidney. It’s crazy. And beautiful.