TODAY, we celebrate.

5 years ago today, I became a nana. To me, he was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen in my life. I held him and sobbed, because I was finally complete. I had a grandson!!!! My baby girl had her own baby boy!!!! My son-in-law had a dream come true, a boy to play with and to call his own.

Two and a half months later, we were introduced to the words "Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Type 1."

Doctors said:

• There's nothing you can do.
• It's terminal.
• He'll be gone before he's 6 months old.
• Take him home and love him.

So that's what we believed. Until we discovered our SMA family. Because of them, my Charleston is alive and thriving today. "They" are other families in our country that are sharing the same journey as we are. On a daily, sometimes hourly, sometimes by the minute..........this SMA family is in contact. Sharing fears, hopes, and mostly........supporting each other. All of this through Facebook. 

Not to mention my daughter, Ashley. I look back on her life, and know that Charleston was planned for her from Day 1. God knew what he was doing. When Ashley was in 1st grade, she told me she wanted to be a "baby doctor." Because of my own medical issues, Ashley gave up her dream of becoming a pediatrician, and became a NICU/PICU nurse instead. At the time, I didn't know that she was doing that because of me. She wanted to be close to me, so she could help me when I needed it. 

Little did we know.........

The day she finished college!!!!

Because God had a plan. He gave her my Charleston. And because of her, I have my grandson today.

TODAY, we celebrate.

Please celebrate with us!

He's perfect.

Going for a Fall walk.

He's crazy about balloons. The bigger, the better.

Protecting and loving on his new baby cousin, Lucas!

Getting ready for Christmas.