On January 31, 2013, my youngest son celebrated fourteen years on the planet. Kwasi began life a little over four pounds with a multitude of significant health issues.  I’ve never been a member of the school of thought that prayer only takes place either in the sanctuary or quiet spaces.

Prayer is prayed where prayer is needed.  I am as comfortable praying in a crowded elevator, behind the wheel, a surgical suite, the emergency room as I am in church on my knees. I am thankful praying without ceasing was a routine part of my daily life prior to Kwasi’s birth.  It would not have been a practice to learn on the fly.

Being both a multicultural and multi-religious family, my Muslim sister jokes that Kwasi has been prayed for by someone of every recognized religion.  There are definite benefits to constant prayer.  My son is living proof as beneficiary.

The first biopsy came at two months.  To be followed by innumerable hospitalizations, NG tubes, PICC lines, double digit surgeries, which included an ileostomy; complete restructuring of his right kidney, right ureter, and bladder.  Lest we not forget the complications of pneumonia following many of the surgeries and the multiple asthma attacks. 

Through it all the prayers continued to come.  Prayers from Sister Jerome, Marian Harrison, Joyce Smith, Joyce Coleman and many unnamed parishioners at St. Agnes. Prayers prayed by all the women in Sistuh Circle, Wimmen Spirit and numerous mosques, synagogues and churches.

At nine months we had one of those milestone evaluations.  And of course Kwasi failed it with flying colors.  We were told he would require constant care and quite possibly would never be independent.

The evaluation will always be front and center in my mind.  There was a horrific rainstorm the day of the appointment.  My husband cried so hard, my son was more in danger of being drowned by his father’s tears than the rain after the diagnosis.

Still we continued to pray.  Prayers go up and blessings come down.  Our milestones have included Baptism, kindergarten, First Communion, tennis and basketball both played with the ileostomy and this spring Confirmation.  He’s the regular altar server at Saturday six o’clock mass.

One of my sisters’ transitioned in 2010.  Our last conversation two days prior concluded with her saying she would pray for Kwasi.  I know those prayers continue.

A surgery last summer increased our prayer circle to include Pat Wakim, Janet DuBois, Dolores Goldfinger, Dottie Kampman, Sister Aloyse and Alvina Lindsey.  Do doubt we will have another surgery this year, but along with the procedure will come constant prayer.

The nine month-old infant they told me would quite possibly never be independent passed the Walnut Hills test two years ago.  This past November he took the High School Placement Test.  He was awarded a Merit Scholarship from Purcell Marian.  No longer requiring constant care, still requiring constant prayer.

RC Nzingha

RC Nzingha lives in the community of Pleasant Ridge with her husband and youngest son. She attends Resurrection Parish in Bond Hill and is the VP of the Board of Directors of the Over-the-Rhine and Walnut Hills Soup Kitchens