Twenty years ago today my life took a drastic turn.  You arrived with great fanfare and your own entourage.  Not that you were unexpected, or unwanted no the very opposite.  We were eagerly anticipating your appearance no one more than your dad and your bigger brother.  We just didn’t expect the excitement.

Blue and floppy are descriptive words. When applied to a newborn they are terrifying and forbidding words.  From your first entrance nothing has been regular or ordinary about you.  Since your arm and shoulder tore through a weak C-section scar left over from your 361 day older brother-a routine delivery became an operating room circus.  It wasn’t good luck that had the instructor for neonatal resuscitation in the room that night. The group of specialists and experts on scene worked to ensure your future, and mine.  I know that there was a divine coordinator for all their heroic efforts.

An exhausted group of physicians paraded through our hospital room the next morning, astonished at how robust you were after starting your life with no respiration, no reflexes, the wrong color (blue)and a slow weak pulse.  I think that first APGAR test was the only one you have ever failed and you couldn’t study for it.

You were named for your grandpa John Karcher.  He is deeply devoted to God and has a loving servant heart.  We hoped you, Karcher John, would grow to have your own devotion and servant spirit.  We saw the inkling of that at home in Siberia.  From our earliest memories you have been a great listener and quick learner.  You mastered English and Russian and were correcting me with my word choice and pronunciation at the age of 4.  Living cross culturally in Siberia until the age of 5 you were known for your grin, affection for “George” the cat and open friendly personality.

Part of making your decision to follow Christ included the question, “Hey Dad- what is the food like in Hell?”  When dad speculated about the things to eat in Hell you quickly asked if it was,’too late to decide now” and quickly secured your place in heaven (where the good food is).  You were 7.

Martial arts, French, horse back riding, Japanese, playing the guitar and cooking are just some of your renaissance hobbies.  Engaging in epic Dungeons and Dragons games spanning over days and weeks boggle my mind. This is just the tip of the iceberg that is Karcher.

Decisive, intuitive, thoughtful and  flexible are a few of the words that describe you at 20.  A brilliant and dedicated student with a dry sense of humor,a loyal friend, and an engaged and loving younger and older brother you have so many exciting opportunities on the horizon.  The humbling thing for me as your mom is that I may have guided and encouraged at different times, but you are so different from me, so much more in so many ways – all the credit  (glory) for you goes  to God.

Today your Dad and I celebrate the gift of Karcher.  From your unforgettable entrance, to the young boy who loved justice, through the young man who challenged himself and us, every day has been a gift.  We will always have your back and support you in your adventures and dreams.  Extraordinary every step of the way.  Watching you being Karch is one of our wildest dreams come true.  Happy Birthday .