Happy Heavenly 21st Birthday to Emily!

Happy Heavenly Birthday, my sweet baby girl, Emily. Even though today you would be a 21-year-old young woman, you will forever be my “baby girl.” This time of year has always been incredibly bittersweet for me. Over the years, I’ve searched for another word to capture my feelings, but “bittersweet” remains the only one that truly expresses the deep mix of love, longing, and gratitude in my heart. I miss you more than words can ever convey, but I find immense peace knowing that you are with our Lord…and that one day, we will be reunited for all of eternity.

I remember that Friday morning in 2006 so vividly. Your mother and I made the difficult decision to admit you to the hospital for what was supposed to be your final round of chemotherapy. By God’s grace, we had received the miraculous news we had prayed for…the tumor had completely disappeared. This last treatment was meant to ensure that no residual cancer cells remained, so you could be discharged and come home, cancer-free. But instead of celebrating your recovery as a family that Sunday, you went home to be with the Lord just three days later, the victim of a tragic and preventable medication error.

In my devastation, I remember crying out, Why, God? I don’t understand. You just cured her, and now You’re taking her? But now, with time and faith, I see what I couldn’t comprehend back then…God always has the perfect plan, even when we can’t even begin to see it. As He promises in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.”

From the deepest sorrow, God has brought so much purpose. Emily, your short time on this earth was not in vain. I am humbled and grateful that so many incredible caregivers and clinicians now refer to you as the “Gerber Baby” of patient and medication safety. Your story…the simple, human side of healthcare that we can all relate to…has touched hearts around the world, helping to prevent errors and save countless lives. Your legacy continues to live on in the hearts and minds of people around the world, truly making an impact, reminding us that we all receive healthcare at some point, as do our loved ones, and that safety in medicine is not just a goal, but a responsibility.

As your daddy, I am eternally grateful for the two beautiful years God gave me with you.

Happy Birthday, sweetheart. I love you always.
Daddy