Happy 16th Birthday Christopher Edward

Christopher Edward Rays is 16 years old today. As I'm typing this, I am overwhelmed with emotion. He was born during a major snow storm on December 23rd 1990 at 1:40 a.m. Approximately 45 minutes after we arrived at the hospital. (I wasn't going to make the same mistake I made with the first two, arriving 20 hours before they were born). We brought him home on Christmas Eve in a huge homemade stocking we were given at the hospital. Christmas Eve, (just two days old) he slept all night long. What a wonderful gift. He was "hell" on wheels from the get go though,
Bob's Dad gave him the nickname "little bit" because he was just a peanut but as fast as could be. As many of you already know, Chris had a near-drowning when he was 17 months old and I don't think their was anyone who really thought that he would survive let alone be celebrating his 16th birthday. I know that people use the word "miracle" lightly sometimes, but, I can say for certain that this child/young man is our miracle. Over the years, many people have commented that there is just "something special about Chris" well, I do agree that there is definitely something special about him, but I knew how special he was the moment he was born. Chris is the kind of guy that you can't help but love. He's caring, sweet, compassionate, extremely charismatic and has a very generous heart. Not only were we given the gift of his birth, we were given a second chance with his life.


Happy Birthday our "little bit" you are our true "Christmas Miracle" in so many ways.