Jack Gunner Morrow was born on 6-6-11.  Jack would be my fourth child. His siblings were born in 02, 09, and 10. To say that I was a busy mom before Jack arrived is an understatement! When I was pregnant with Jack we got a call when I was almost 20 weeks along saying that I had a higher percentage for having a baby with Down Syndrome. I was a mom with three perfectly “normal” babies so this was a shock. I guess I took for granted that what God has planned is very different than my plans! We did the level 2 ultrasound which showed nothing except our third boy was growing in the most sacred of places. On June 6th with Down syndrome and child birth far away from my mind I had Jack almost 4 weeks early! Tears of joy and relief flooded my eyes when Jack was born with no problems! I was overcome with emotion when I finally got to hold this tiny miracle! I have c-sections so I always have to endure that agonizing hour in recovery. I knew as soon as I held him something was different. I pushed Down syndrome to the back of my mind until the following day when my husband said they were testing him.

All this did was bond me with that tiny life even more. It would be a week before we got the results. In that week everyone had their own opinion. No he doesn’t have it to yea maybe’s. I honestly didn’t think it mattered until, home alone, I got the phone call. I groaned and cried at the top of my lungs. I think my mind was going through all the difficulties we would face. Mostly though I thought about my child’s life being hard and all the things he couldn’t do. I researched and looked high and low for support groups. I learned the difference between possibility and reality. Then I decided as long as he was healthy he’d be just fine. Not long after that we discovered he had two holes in his heart. I walked out of the cardiologist office that day ready to scream, cry, and possibly hit somebody with the flip flop I was wearing! Other than that small defect he was healthy. With medicine he could wait until he was 2 for the surgery. The day Jack was born he looked at me as if to say,” I know you!” He always looked like he knew something I didn’t. He loved to talk to me! He loved to kiss! I’ve never had a better baby. If he woke up before me he’d wait patiently. If I had to deal with his crazy brothers first he didn’t mind. He knew once I picked him up and started talking to him it was all over. I couldn’t quit kissing or talking to him after that. He was setup with Early Intervention and I absolutely loved the world of special needs. I loved the connection the parents shared and the love they were all willing to share! I had Jack for 6 1/2 months. I’m crying as I write this because its still surreal that my sweet man is gone. Our last two months together were spent in the hospital. He died December 27, 2011 from pulmonary hypertension complications. I will never forget the short time I was allowed in the special needs world. Jack accomplished so much in his short life that this momma is left in awe!