Christmas is all about the gifts. Some are big; some are small. The best gifts always seem to be the little gifts. Little gifts change our attitudes, beliefs, and hearts. Today, I went out fishing. From my first cast to my last cast it was one of those days where you catch fish everywhere you go even though it rained for most of the day. I didn’t care; I had my rain suit on and it was keeping me dry. The rain suit was a Christmas gift last year. On August 14, 2011, at 1:07 a.m., Laken Reil Hines was born. He weighed in at 5 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 18-inches long. He was a keeper. Laken’s parents, Chris and Debra Hines, couldn’t have asked for a better gift than a child. They couldn’t be more proud; however, Laken was born with some serious health issues.

Looking into my tackle box, I see a number of different lures that were given to me as gifts at Christmas. Many of them have never been casted; in fact, I don’t think they would catch fish, but I keep them because they were gifts. Shortly after being born, Laken was put on medicines and given a heart test. The results of that hear test tested showed nothing abnormal, but the medical staff did say that Laken had PPHN. They told the parents that this meant that his lungs were not functioning properly; in addition to RDS/HMD where Laken couldn’t get air correctly into his lungs. Due to these complications, Laken was taken to Kosair Children’s Hospital for additional medical treatment and care. Every hour and every day was challenging for baby Laken. Chris and Debra stayed close by the hospital in the Ronald McDonald House. They never wanted to leave his side.

Christmas is just around the corner. Like most guys, I have put off getting presents. There is always something more important to do and if the weather is nice you want to go fishing before it gets too cold to go. One gift that’s always the hardest to get is one for your wife. I guess it’s because she never really comes out and tells you what she really wants. It’s like a guessing game and no matter what answer you give its wrong. This will be Laken’s first Christmas. No doubt, he will probably get a little rod and reel combo from his dad. It’s easy to get a little boy gifts. On the other hand, Chris will have to put a lot of thought into buying his wife a present. The best gift this family received was being able to take Laken home and being together for Christmas.

The rain keeps coming down. I really don’t care, mostly because the fish are biting and my phone has not rung all day; great…just when you say that out loud it rings. Whoever designs rain suits should make a special waterproof pocket that makes it easy to get your phone out. “When are you coming home,” asked my wife. Laken has gone through some intensive care and treatment since being born. Family and friends prayed along with posting get well wished on Facebook or came to visit. This gave Chris and Debra strength to deal with Laken’s medical problems. After 17 days of being in the hospital, Laken was finally on his way home. No doubt, his parents were overjoyed by the event.

I did not lose or break off a lure today. It must have been my lucky day. Everything went right. Ventilators, nitrous, isolation, IV, trouble breathing, oxygen are just a few of the words that Chris and Debra don’t want to ever hear again. During Laken’s time at the hospital it was all about unfamiliar words, terms and diagnosis. The uncertainty can wear a person down. It’s never your lucky day when you are in a hospital and certainly not everything is going right. Nevertheless, the professional medical staff at Kosair Children’s Hospital does everything possible to help parents while their child is receiving medical care; in addition to providing excellent care and treatment for their young patients.

Kosair Children’s Hospital Prayer
God bless every child
Who enters here
And all who love
And care for them.
May every child
Feel love here.
May every child
Feel safe.
May God’s presence
Be felt by all
Within this place.
May Kosair
Children’s Hospital
Be a place of healing
And of hope.  Amen

Christmas comes just one time of year. One day where gifts are exchanged. Some are big; some are small, but none are as important as the gift of the new born baby that was born in a manger in Bethlehem.
Merry Christmas!

Editor's note: Chris and Debra Hines are the owner of Uptown Graphics located in Upton, Kentucky. Uptown Graphics (www.uptowngraphicsky.com) does logo designs, vehicle wraps and boat wraps. They have wrapped numerous tournament angler boats and vehicles including FLW Tour and Bassmaster Elite Series Pros. Chris also fishes competitively in bass tournaments. Click on this link read an inpirational story about Chris Hines: Uh Huh Lifes Like this for Chris Hines.