Ray and Stu

Ray and Stu are now grown men working in Texas. This picture was taken when Walt had back-to-back femur breaks, which was one of our hardest times in life. The book is written and illustrated by Walt's grandmother and published by his mom.

The Peace that Passes Understanding

By Kathy J. Wilkinson, mom to Ray and Stu

When Ray was 3 years old he had surgery to correct the most severe pronation and flat-footedness his orthopedist had ever seen. At this time, Ray's Osteogenesis Imperfecta “Brittle bone disease” was undiagnosed since he had not had a broken bone. He had connective tissueproblems, but they went undiagnosed in spite of being seen by multiple orthopedists in Austin and San Antonio, Texas.

The surgery never would never have been done if the doctor had known Ray had O.I. (That surgery and the subsequent two months in casts began the series of breaks which brought the diagnosis.)

The night following the surgery in Austin was the longest night of my life and Ray's, too. He was in terrible pain. As we suffered through the night together, I was in his bed beside him when the sun began to rise, which we could see in his window. Ray said, “Mom, do you want me to sing to you?” These words came out of the mouth of a suffering, sleepless child who didn’t sing except at church! I said, “If you want to.” He began to sing, “I’ve got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart.” I think that’s a seldom sung verse of a song we rarely sang in his Bible class. I couldn’t believe the words and the meaning! I knew with the sun coming up and the power and meaning of those words that God was telling me that I could have peace in this awful ordeal. Little did I know that the days and years ahead would bring countless moments when I would need to remember this song and trust in that peace which God gives when we turn to Him in all times.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”