Gabriel's birthday is November 16th. Here are some photos of Gabe over the years. When he was little we called him "Gibby". He has green eyes and deep dimples when he grins. We nearly lost him to spinal meningitis when he was 8 months old. He was given a round of a new experimental treatment at Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon and survived the illness well. Others we knew including my cousin, had died from meningitis previously.
Here is Gabriel with his little brother Joel, who was about 5 months old at the time of this photo.
When Gabe was 18 he was in a bicycle accident that broke three of his vertebrae in the thoracic area of his spine. The neurosurgeon said it was a miracle he wasn't paralyzed! Two of the vertebrae were broken diagonally all the way through and the third was crushed. Gabe had two titanium L-shaped rods in his back for a year and spent that summer in a hot brace, but he walked for graduation just a few weeks after the accident!
We believe he was granted these miracles for a reason.
I remember finding Gabriel on his knees during his recovery period, praying and thanking Heavenly Father for this blessing. Gabe told me afterward that he had lots of ideas of ways to help people because of his experience.
I hope that one day he will be in a position to do that.
Gabriel is an artist and an inventor. He is very sweet and gentle to his younger siblings. Here is a photo of Gabe and Ella napping on the sofa after church today.
We had birthday cake at Janina's house tonight for both Gabriel and Janina. She made marble cake with whipped cream and Heath bars on top.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABRIEL!!!
Love,
Mama and Papa
2 comments:
Wow, I of course remember the bike accident, but I had no idea Gabriel had had meningitis when he was a baby.
Happy birthday Gabriel!
What a neat post, I am sure he will and already does make life better for anyone who is close to him.
Post a Comment