My dear son:

On Monday, you reached a milestone.

You turned six months old.

In most families this is a quite celebration — something one mother mentions in passing to another. Or, if you will, a line item on a doctor’s report.

In our family things are somewhat different.

You see, Zach, you’ve earned each and every day.

It was just two months ago that you returned to OU Children’s for your second heart surgery. This after your first surgery last fall.

Since then you’ve been a delight to your parents, your brothers and sisters and the rest of this loud, raucous family Carter.

You’re too young to realize it Zach, but watching your strength and waking to see your bright smile has renewed my faith in God and my hope in making the world a better place.

Touching your tiny hands, I’ve rediscovered the thrill of just being alive. I laugh as I see your large, hazel eyes react to something new. I find joy in watching you discover and experience your world for the very first time.

You remind me how beautiful — and how fragile — life can be.

Zachary, you’ll never know — at least not until you have children of your own — the fear and anguish your mother and I felt as you were taken from us for surgery.

Twice doctors have opened your small chest and operated on your heart.

And twice, you’d recovered wonderfully.

Your small chest carries those scars. It shows the marks of what you — at such a young age — have already been through.