Welcome back! I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas. I looooved hanging out with my fam…Speaking of family, today’s guest for Welcome Mat Wednesday is none other than my sister, Amy Reece!
I have been practically bursting with anticipation for today’s post…think Buddy the Elf in the syrup aisle. Ex-cite-ment! I’ve featured Amy and her husband Chip’s son Ollie on this blog so many times…’cause I love the little guy like crazy. So I hope you enjoy Amy’s post about the “gift of Ollie.” Be sure to check out the video intro and leave us a comment. Happy New Year!
‘Tis the Season to Love Ollie
There are amazing miracles recorded throughout the Bible as well as countless accounts of people who have witnessed or experienced miracles themselves. I can honestly say that I have experienced a miracle…and his name is Ollie!
Whoever coined the phrase, “A baby changes everything,” sure knew what they were talking about. But what they should have added to that phrase is, “A baby changes everything for the better!”
Oliver “Ollie” Lelan Reece was born with Down Syndrome and several major heart defects. He has spent close to eight of his seventeen months of life in the hospital enduring three open-heart surgeries.
Throughout these surgeries, there were many times we were told that Ollie may not live, but miraculously, through God’s love and power alone, Ollie beat all odds and is living at home with us today.
While surviving these surgeries was a huge triumph on Ollie’s part, the most amazing thing about him is the “spirit” God gave him. Ollie has endured what most of us can’t imagine, but he smiles and laughs constantly through it all! Even in the hospital, when doctors, nurses, and therapists would poke and prod him, as soon as the painful or challenging parts were over he was smiling at them!
Oliver’s name means, “loving nature,” which perfectly describes him. He loves people and reaches to touch and hold their hands or to caress their face and arms! Ollie gives the sweetest kisses and hugs, and is so tender and sensitive. He even shows empathy by crying when someone else is sad or hurt.
His darling and upbeat personality is infectious and just so amazing due to all of the extra medical challenges he currently faces. Ollie battles lung and trachea damage, hypothyroidism, a paralyzed vocal cord, a weak heart, and side effects of Down Syndrome which impact Ollie’s physical and mental development. Ollie has a trach, G button (for feeds), and uses a ventilator continuously to aid him in breathing.
Despite all these difficulties, Ollie lives life with such vitality!
So, why do I share with you about my Ollie?
First, because Ollie’s life is a miracle, which reveals the power of God’s love and perfect timing in everything…as well as the amazing power of prayers from so many faithful and compassionate people around the world.
Second, because Ollie has a wonderful lesson to teach all of us: live life with passion and a positive attitude, love others with gentleness and kindness, have a tender heart, and be thankful for all the blessings in your life!
Ollie humbles me every day to live my life this way, and I hope his story will encourage you to do the same!
Thank you, sister! You are so amazing to me…and I love you and Chip and Ollie bunches.
Readers, is there someone in your life who encourages and inspires you like Amy, Chip and Ollie encourage and inspire me?
Throughout these surgeries, there were many times we were told that Ollie may not live, but miraculously, through God’s love and power alone, Ollie beat all odds and is living at home with us today.
So, why do I share with you about my Ollie?
Comments 20
He’s absolutely precious! This is such an encouraging and inspiring post. I have no doubt Ollie, as well as you and your husband, have touched so many lives and shined Jesus in dark places.
Tagg, thanks so much for posting this. A perfect after-Christmas story. So did Coldplay come see you for Christmas? What? You didn’t ask Santa for that? Sigh!
Nooooo, no Coldplay for Christmas. Ironically, I’m listening to Coldplay as I type. 🙂 But truthfully, what I got was even better than Santa: hanging out with my awesome family. And there’s more hanging out to be had this weekend when I get to Wichita. YAYYY! (Can you tell I’m excited to see Amy, Chip and Ollie?!)
Hope you had a brilliant Christmas complete with scrumptious coffee creamers! 🙂
And you’re absolutely right: Amy, Chip and Ollie have touched soooo many lives.
One day I hope to meet Ollie (and Chip and Amy too, of course). His smile is so infectious — I smile right back at that sweet boy whenever you post a photo or him!
And, yes, others have inspired me … but, truly, Ollie is one of the most inspiring stories I’ve ever known. I am not surprised that his name means “loving nature.”
What a moving story and reminder to live life with passion. Wow, Ollie’s smile is infectious! Thank you for this moving and thoughtful post!
Beth, I’m pretty sure I need to introduce A&C and Ollie to all the Ponderers. You all have been such prayer warriors…thank you! Until then, you can be sure I’m always happy to share photos/videos. I’ll have a whole new batch of them after this weekend. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Susie! I can’t wait to see Ollie’s infectious smile in person tomorrow…he’s just soooo precious. 🙂
Beautiful, beautiful post!
Amy, your post touched my heart so much, and I can relate–not as a parent, but an auntie to the most precious child with special needs.
When my sister was pregnant with my niece, the doctor told her the baby had died in the womb and suggested aborting. My sister refused and Praise God she did. My niece was not dead! She had some special needs in vitro that made them think she was gone. Her 14 years haven’t been easy, but she is the most loving, most beautiful person. She fills our hearts with sunshine. Like Ollie, she’s quick to laugh and love.
Ollie is so precious to us. Thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you for all your kind comments! Ollie does have the most beautiful smile and best laugh ever! Today he was laughing and laughing when I chanted “5 Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree.” He is the most amazing boy I could ever have dreamed of having for a son!
Sis, can’t wait to see you tomorrow!
Lisa, I love it when you talk about Lily. I also love it when you share your auntie wisdom with me. 🙂
Amy, I’ve packed the Twizzlers and am gearing up for nertz, guitar hero and Ollie’s laughter. I can’t wait!!!
Melissa, Amy, Chip, and Ollie…..thank you for an amazing post that had us in tears over the amazing things God has done through the most precious gift of Ollie. We love you all. We truly do learn from Ollie’s wonderful spirit and outlook. He is definately an instrument of a loving Creator. We are so blessed by each of you. Our God is so good. M&D (G&G)
Hey Ollie! Every time I see your beautiful smile in Melissa’s pictures, my heart lifts and joy fills my soul.
Thank you!
Wow, how can you not come away from reading this and just feeling joyful? Thanks for the inspiring post. Amy, it is so true about a baby changing everything. Most of all, I think a baby changes his parents – reveals in a whole new way how love is definitely a verb. That kind of love comes across so clearly in this tender post.
And Ollie, thank you for smiling and smiling and smiling and smiling. I can never get enough.
Mama Amy, Thank you! Daddy Chip, Thank you! Ollie, Thank you even more! Jesus Christ our Lord, Thank You beyond words for sharing this incredible family and precious little boy with the MAC Family. Reece Family, I am guessing you will never know how God has used, and continues to use, all of you. Our prayers and thankful hearts are with you always!
Psalm 139: 13-14 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
Ollie you are fearfully and wonderfully made! God had big plans for you when he was knitting you in your mom’s belly. Amy thank you for sharing your sweetheart with all of us.
I have followed Ollie’s progress and miracles since day one, thru Nicole and Caring Bridge. Ollie is truly one of God’s miracles. Who says that they no longer exist?! The Lord knew what He wa doing when he blessed you with this child and the child with you! Thanks you for sharing your faith with us all! Jennifer Espinoza Kamrar Iowa
Mom and Dad, you are awesome grandparents!! 🙂
Pat, thanks for stopping by. I love playing gushing auntie!
Maggs, I know exactly what you mean – you can’t read Amy’s words (or look at Ollie’s smiles) without being encouraged and uplifted.
Sherry, thanks for stopping by! I love how the MAC family shows so much love for Ollie from a distance.
Mel, such a great verse. And thank YOU for sharing YOUR sweethearts with me…I love playing pretend aunt to Silas and Deacon, too. 🙂
Jennifer, thank you, too, for stopping by. You’re sooo right – God knew exactly what He was doing. He couldn’t have given Ollie better parents!
Melissa, Thank you for posting this wonderful story! I have loved hearing about each of Ollie’s victories and felt honored to pray for him during each surgery and illness.
Amy, It’s easy to see why you and Chip were entrusted with a special boy. You are wonderful parents! I am so encouraged by you to “live life with passion and a positive attitude, love others with gentleness and kindness, have a tender heart, and be thankful for all the blessings in your life!” Another thing children teach us is to live in the moment. They live completely in the present. I’ve learned not to wait for tomorrow but to be thankful for today.
Oh, thank you for the comment, Roxanne. I can’t help but talk about Ollie…constantly… 🙂
You know, you encourage me the same way Amy, Chip and Ollie do. God has carried you through horrible circumstances…to new joy. Knowing you is a huge gift!
Melissa, thank you for sharing Amy’s story on your Welcome Mat. What a fantastic way of sharing what Ollie’s life and smiles mean to all of you (and us). We could only say “WOW” over and over and thank God for all the miracles He has done and will continue to do in Ollie’s and your lives. It is such a blessing to know God is acknowledged in all of this. He truly is an amazing God that we serve.
May God continue to bless you and the Reeces in 2012. Love and Prayers.
P.S. This was written last week and I must have done something wrong so here it is again.