Guest Post by Travis
It has been a little over two years since we found out that our son, Christian Andrew Scott, was a full-term, stillborn baby. The journey since his flight into Heaven has not been easy for me and my wife, but I feel that his life has helped us to appreciate what is important, especially me!
Prior to the birth of our son, I did everything society wanted me to do. I worked 60+ hours a week on top of an hour commute, money was my motivation, I sacrificed time with family; I was a company man and on my way up the “corporate ladder”. At that time I thought I was happy, but looking back I can see that my values and dreams were not aligned with my life.
I would like to tell you that after Christian was born I immediately realized I was living a life I didn’t want, but that is not the truth. After his funeral, it took a little over year of depression, debt, sadness, feeling sorry for myself, and our third child on the way before I realized I was not living the life I wanted.
The Day that Changed Everything…
One day I was sitting in my car eating lunch, thinking about Christian in Heaven. I thought about him looking down at me and seeing my every move. Then I concluded that I wanted to make my son proud, so when I have the chance to meet him again someday he would look me in the eyes and say, “Daddy, you were amazing. I am so proud of you.”
That day I made a choice to live a life that was true to me, my family, my faith, and to Christian. I have used Christian as my motivation to live life a little slower, less stressful, and cherish the little things in life.
Since then I have switched careers and that allows me to spend more time with my family. I wrote a book to honor my son, and have aligned my values with my life. For the first time in my life, I can say that I am having the time of my life!
Although I wish Christian was here to experience life with us, I have eternal gratitude to him for changing my life. I am better husband, father, son, friend, and person because of my son.
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