It's been 4 years since I've updated this journal, and this will be the last time I'll ever visit the Caring Bridge website for our incredible daughter Rory. 

The last 5 years have been the greatest years I'll ever experience in my life. Abbey & I started this parental  journey with fear and uncertainty. A start to a path that I pray no one else will ever have to deal with in their lives because no one deserves the pain of wondering if their beautiful son or daughter will survive the night due to whatever circumstance they need to overcome. 

That being said, if there is one thing I've learned as a parent, it's that our children are so much stronger than we will ever be. Sure they may cry when we tell them they need to go to bed because they have school tomorrow, or they may pout when we take away their favorite toy because they misbehaved.  

However, they are the most loving and honest individuals this world has ever seen. The only thing that matters to them is love, family and friendship.  Our children can teach us all a lesson about what it means to be the best individuals that we can be. In hindsight, I'm amazed  how simple the world can be if you just open your eyes to it.

Today, we celebrated Rory's 5th birthday at the Little Gym in Eagan.  It was a day that 5 years ago I didn't know if I would ever get to experience as a father. Abbey & I were living day to day. No thought of what was to come in the next day, the next year, let alone 5 years. However, today I was able to just be a dad. To watch my incredible daughter play with her friends and family  on the simplest things like a balance beam and/or the uneven bars at a gymnastics studio.

It gave me joy, it gave me pride, most importantly it gave me hope. Hope for every family that has to start their journey with unforeseen circumstances. Ones that cause so much pain and uncertainty that few can understand. Please know that you're not alone. It may feel like the deck is stacked against you, but your child is a fighter and they will do anything to survive and be the most incredible human they can be.

Along with being an incredible kid, your child will make you become someone you never thought you could be. I wasn't a perfect individual before Rory and I likely  won't be  going forward. However, she's made me be the best dad, husband, son, brother and friend I could ever be. I am forever grateful for this.

To conclude Rory's Story on Caring Bridge, thank you to everyone  that have been a part of Rory's first 5 years. Whether you've been directly involved in her life or just read my updates from year's past, you've been instrumental in our lives and helped Abbey & I so much. We're so grateful to have had such phenomenal support.  Rory is our little miracle and not a day goes by where we aren't grateful for each and every one of you.

Love,

Gerrit, Abbey & Rory Leigh Hooker