Matthew Gregory...Feb. 3, 1988

This blog is dedicated to my second child and first son, Matthew Gregory. Twenty-three years ago on Feb. 3 at around 10:20 p.m. Matthew made his first appearance. God blessed us with a 8 lb 8 oz wonderful baby boy. He was a pretty good baby who loved to be held by daddy every night around supper time and swing with him outside. He slept all night from the time he was 6 weeks old, which was a blessing, since his sister who was only 14 1/2 months older than him did not like to sleep very much. As Matthew grew and began to crawl he discovered there was a lot of territory for him to cover and much to be discovered. He loved to get into EVERYTHING, he kept me quite busy. One day, while he was still in a diaper, he decided he wanted to explore outside by himself. So he toddled out the front door and to the neighbors. Scared me but not Matthew, he was not afraid of much, except thunderstorms. One day after learning how to climb, that didn't take him long to learn (I guess he was just getting prepared for those deer stands), he decided to climb up on the kitchen table and walk across it. I didn't know what to do if I yelled it would scare him and he would fall so I quietly walked over to him and got him, goodness. Another time I was getting ready for church on a Sunday morning and he was awfully quiet so I had Hannah check on him....where was he...as Hannah said "oh, he is just climbing in the oven." Great, of course the oven was off it wasn't safe to leave anything on and leave Matthew with it. Matthew knew and still does know where everything is. He knew where everything was because he got into it. When he was 22 months old we were visiting my parents in MD and I was walking down the stairs carrying both Matthew and Hannah, my foot slipped and we all three fell down the stairs. Matthew's foot was under me and so off to the bone doctor, it was broke. I felt terrible but when they decided to put a cast on it I thought, "wow, maybe this will slow him down." Not he just ran...thump, thump, thump, no problem. That was just the beginning of his many accidents. Poor Matthew, it seemed like he was always getting hurt but that didn't ever stop him. Matthew loves to hunt, he has always loved to go hunting with his dad. He started climbing tree stands when he was only about 3 with his sister, who was only about 4, holding the tree stand "up" so Matthew wouldn't fall, another scary event. With Matthew around life was an adventure, he made life very exciting. He has had many falls, many trips to the ER, many band-aids, many kisses and hugs to make things all better. He was a tough boy(became known as the "Alaskan Assassin" for Meade Co. High School football)...but only on the outside. He has a big heart. He would do anything to help out. Even as I write this I have tears in my eyes thinking about how much he means to me. He is a great son. As I think back on his life, yes he kept me busy but he is such a blessing. One evening I got a call, it was Matthew, he called to tell me that I needed to come and get him, he just wrecked his truck. Wow, I couldn't get there fast enough and when I saw his truck over the hill, sitting near a telephone pole I was so thankful he was standing beside it and he was okay. We just stood there and I hugged him while tears fell down both of our cheeks. I am so thankful God protected him. Matthew was such a help while his dad was in Iraq for 15 months. He came back home during this time to finish school and be home so he could help while dad was gone. I could ask Matthew to help me with anything and he was always right there to help out,without a complaint, and it is still that way today. I love him dearly and I thank God every day for him. I am so thankful that Matthew has trusted Jesus as his Savior because I sure wouldn't want to go to Heaven without him, I praise God that Matthew has given his life to Him. Many years have come and gone since that night 23 years ago and I wonder where the time has gone. Matthew is now married and they are expecting their first child, a boy, Mason. I hope that Mason is just like Matthew because if he is they will have a wonderful, caring son and they will be truly blessed, very busy but very blessed. Happy Birthday Matthew we love you very much!!! I am proud to be your MaMa, you have made my life anything but boring : )