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On October 4th, 2008, a very special baby was born. He was born with trisomy 18, "genetic syndrome of multiple congenital anomalies and severe to profound mental retardation. It is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 18 in some or all of the cells of the body. Babies with the condition usually do not survive past several months of age. Trisomy 18 in the embryo/fetus is also a common chromosomal cause of pregnancy loss."

He fought past the odds and was home within a week. Evan Reese Utsman was my next door neighbor. I was attending college at the time and every time I came home I would visit him, watching him grow and live and love. He was so loved by his family and I believe their love kept him alive for those three short months of his life.

One particular Bible verse that I treasure is Isaiah 25:8 "He will swallow up death in victory: and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off faces". Baby Evan was constantly fighting his pain in his body, fighting to survive. When I saw his body today, he was so peaceful, finally free of his tubes and wires, holding him down to earth. He was finally free.

Although I wish I could have been there to watch him grow and flourish, we do not know God's ways. God needed a new angel in heaven, and he chose our miracle, Evan.

So here's to the children in heaven, and the newest cutest angel,

Evan Reese Utsman
October 4th, 2008 - January 9th, 2009