Beaner

When Ben was only 18 months he fell into our pool and drowned. I still remember everything so vividly, permanently etched images that I can recall at any time. I looked out the kitchen window and saw Kurt holding Ben high in the air shaking his little limp body. Because Kurt was Bishop at the time we had a transient woman staying at our house and I yelled at her to call 911 while I ran outside. I gave Ben mouth to mouth (instantly recalling what I had learned in my high school health class) while Kurt gave him a blessing, drawing upon all his authority and faith to command his spirit to return to his body. Ben began coughing and spitting up water just as the EMT men burst through the house and out to the backyard. Ben was fine, probably wondering what all the fuss was. That evening all I wanted was all six children and Kurt around me. We all snuggled together on our bed and watched The Sound of Music. The scripture on this rug comes from I Kings 17:21, "And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again." The miracle that day is manifest every time I see Ben. Here is my attempt at summing it up in a psalm.

Psalm to Ben

Why hold you up and shade the sun? Lie down and let God's holy ways come together with mouth and hands. Let wind come again to your breath to whisper of God's love. How great are His commands! that He can move the waters with His mighty blast and create paths of truth. How great are His commands! that His gentle breath brings spirit home again.