The Greatest Gift

My dearest Mick fans,

All my life I have considered myself to be most fortunate with an amazing husband, family, friends, and career. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I was going to be as blessed as I was with the birth of my magical son He is just that remarkable. He has transformed all of us and our vision of the world. I now understand when people have said, when you become a mother your world changes.

As soon as I heard his first cry, I knew he was strong. When he was sucking on the doctor’s finger so hard that the other doctor had to open Michael’s mouth to release his finger, I knew he was tough. When Thomas cut the umbilical cord and went to hand the doctor the scissors, Michael grabbed them right from his hands (they were BIG scissors). Everyone panicked at a newborn holding scissors but that is when I knew Mick and James were in him and he was a FIGHTER!

After they examined him we found out that he built his own vein, because the wall between his left and right atrium was closing. This allowed continuous blood flow and without this miracle vein he would have needed an operation within the first 20 minutes of being born. That was when I knew Mick had THE WILL TO LIVE, no matter what the circumstances.

He was magic right from the start.

We knew at 16 weeks of pregnancy that our baby had a special heart. Although the news was hard to digest, we knew he was going to be a survivor. Little did we know to what extent. Through the rest of my pregnancy, I remained positive that he was going to make it.

I also held on to ideals that helped me make sense of things that were incomprehensible at the time:

That our little miracle was going to teach me more about life then I could ever teach him.

Things don’t happen for a reason, rather life happens and life lessons are formed. It is what you learn from them that matters.

There are many things in life that you cannot control. The only thing you can control is how you handle it.

Life does not have a pause, rewind, fast forward or delete button.

Having command of a positive attitude is a great discovery during difficult times.

This is when family and friends shine and take on a new meaning.


Through my pregnancy I used the analogy of waiting for the storm to hit. You can board up the windows, stock up on food, water, and batteries. But all the planning is not going to avoid the storm and unfortunately, preparation is the only thing you can control.

So we did the only things we could. We gave him the strongest survival name possible, Michael James Sheehan Irwin, found the best surgeon and hospital, educated ourselves about the disease, read to Michael, and played motivational music, like Eye of the Tiger.

But again, nothing prepared us for what we went through and what we are currently going through. We were told that Michael’s first surgery had a 95% success rate, and as my husband put it, we prepared for the Norwood as if it were a dental procedure. We learned quickly that statistics mean nothing. What we learned shortly there after was that our fighting Irish tiger, going up against all odds, would have the courage and tenacity to prevail.


I want to take this time to thank my husband and family.


First and foremost, I want to thank my incredible husband and best friend: Thomas, Tommy, Tom, Honey, and now Daddy (he goes by many names in the blog and in real life).

It is when you go though a crisis that you are tested the most, and my husband passed with flying colors. He has been my rock though the past nine months and more importantly the past four weeks. I have been amazed by his strength. During the critical days, Thomas never lost faith in our son. He was my constant support and I relied upon him the most to get me through it all. He was my shoulder to cry on, he held me tight saying it was going to be OK, we were going to make it, we are a family now.

He also managed to keep his sense of humor through it all, trying to keep things light when he could. We make one heck of a team and I couldn't be more appreciative to call him my husband and best friend.

Thomas, I am convinced, was meant to be a father. He fell right into the role, from the moment it was pushing time and the doctors said, “You’re helping. Grab her leg, we have to get this baby out!” It was something we never expected the doctor to say (I thought he would just be holding my hand) and I was not sure how Tommy was going to react. But he was a champ, holding my leg and coaching me until Michael came out in a record 20 minutes.

It was then, when Thomas changed forever in my eyes. The connection he has with our son is astonishing. Right from the start Michael knew who his daddy was. Mick held on to his daddy’s finger every time we were with him. It was amazing since Mick was heavily sedated.

Thomas has had many powerful moments with our son. When we were getting ready to send Michael to the OR for the second time, we held hands as a family and Thomas sang to him "You will Never Walk Alone". He gave him his first parental speech getting him ready for the big day. Michael knew he had the fight of his life and that his parents were right there with him.

The video and pictures speak for themselves. Thomas and Michael are in awe of each other. It is magic seeing them together. Michael truly loves his daddy-time and I know Thomas treasures every moment with his son.

Tommy is and will always be The Love of My Life.

Thomas and I are incredibly blessed to have amazing family and friends. It is the support of our family that has been constant from the beginning and we are forever grateful to them. We would like to thank our stupendous family.


To my parents:

My Mom and Dad are the most amazing parents! They were here a week for Michael’s arrival, preparing and helping any way they could. They were with us through Michael’s honeymoon days, when they read, sang, and showered him with love, as well as the very difficult surgery.

Becoming a mother to Michael, I have a new appreciation for my parents and I am grateful that they are my role models. There is not enough wonderful things I can say about my mother, She is one of a kind. As a parent I hope to have my mother’s strength, kindness and ability to do twenty things at once. My mother has always put others before herself, especially her children. She is the most wonderful mother, I find comfort knowing I am learning from the best!

As father’s day approaches I reflect on how fortunate I am to have my Dad. When you think of what you hope a father to be, my Dad is that father. He has the love, patience, heart, and soul that make him the greatest. My father has been my greatest coach through life, I hope to have his gentle spirit and provide Michael the guidance he has given me. My parents would always say “ You're beautiful on the inside and out”. It was later in life that I grew to understand how important those words are.

I have always had a great admiration for my parents and I credit them for the person I have become. My mother and father have been an inspiration and they are there for me under any circumstance.

My parents were the first people I told that Michael made it through the second surgery. Hearing my father on the other end of the phone yell, “HE MADE IT BETSY! HE MADE IT! HOLY COW, HE MADE IT!” This was one of the best moments of my life. We were all crying and laughing and in awe of this little baby who made it through two surgeries and defeated all odds! Our Irish tiger made it.

My parents are the people I turn to when I’m in need. They know how to make me feel better. They came again last weekend, traveling from Boston just to give me a hug and help prepare the apartment for Michael’s trip home. It was exactly what I needed.

I want to thank my parents’ friends and Foster School, all of whom have been a tremendous support to my parents and Michael during this time. Everyday Foster School prints out Michael’s blog and posts it in their teacher lounge for everyone to see. My mother has worked there for almost 30 years, and Foster School has become a second family. My parents’ friends, have been amazing and have been following Michael's story and offering help any way they can.

I know it was difficult for my parents to see us go through this. But they can find solitude from the way they raised me. They gave me the foundation of faith, love, support, and strength to be able to handle anything in life. They are remarkable parents, friends, and of course, grandparents. We are so grateful for everything they do for us!


To my other parents, the Irwin’s:

I don’t think I could have asked for better in-laws (my other parents). The strength that they have is unprecedented. From the moment we shared the news of Michael having HLHS, they have provided nothing but positive reinforcement.

My mother in-law rallied up any information she could on HLHS. She had help from her friends at Moog and searched for organizations to help us. My mother in-law and everyone at Moog have been a wonderful advocate for HLHS and Michael. She has the biggest heart and always sees the positive in every situation. It has been an absolute joy having her as my other mother!

Thomas is extremely close with his mum and speaking to her daily was the support he needed to get through challenging times. She has always been a source of strength for Thomas. It is easy to see why, she manages to do it all, with a smile, and always putting others first.

My father in-law came to NYC just a week before Michael was born to take us out to our favorite restaurant for one last supper without little Mick. It was a wonderful dinner. He said not to worry about Michael and heralded us of all support and caring people surrounding us. His words were certainly right. He told me we were not going in this alone and to stay strong. I am so blessed to have him as my other father he has been an incredible help through this time.

It was wonderful for Thomas to have his dad there before the big day. The two pool sharks had a great time bonding over billiards, and beat everyone in the place. Thomas and his father are best friends so it was special for him to have that time with his dad before he became one.

Mum and Dad were both there to welcome our little Miracle into the world and were able to enjoy him during the honeymoon days (pre-surgery). Their faith and encouragement has been an enormous strength in helping us through.

They had many prayer groups include Michael in their intentions, including our family in England and Ireland, who helped make Mick a global sensation. We had all time zones covered for prayers with our amazing family over seas. It was my father in- law’s friend from Accuracy International that found Michael James on Google. People live a lifetime without being found on Google and Michael did it in two weeks!

It was a special time for Michael to have all his grandparents together to celebrate his arrival.

As we prepare for Michael to leave the hospital his grandparents have been extremely generous in getting all of the necessities for him to be home and for making it a comfortable home. Michael has all of the best, and they certainly helped make that possible.


I did not want to spoil Michael but with all of his grandparents, our aunts, uncles, cousins, and his aunts and uncle, I think it is going to be impossible. Our parents, aunts, uncles, and siblings have been so generous with gifts and thoughtfulness for Michael.

He is one lucky baby to have been born into a family with so much love!


My best friend, my sister Caitlin:

For those who know me, you know how much I treasure my sister, for those who don’t, you can easily see why. It is rare in life to find a best friend. It is even more rare to have it be your sister. Caitlin throughout my life has been that unique person you wish there were more of, knowing the world would be a much better place.

The past three weeks were the most intense of my life and my sister was right there with me. The day I was induced Caitlin was with me keeping me laughing, holding my hair back as I puked, dragged my IV to the toilet. She made sure the nurses were attentive (the nurses loved that she was awake the whole night so they did not have to work as hard).

I know going through labor is suppose to be the tough part but having my husband, brother, and sister there with me made it special. Caitlin did not sleep and stayed awake with me through the night. It was during this time that she kept me laughing through the contractions and puking every hour.. I know it is an oxymoron but she made it fun! Thomas was extremely grateful for Caitlin, as he could get his rest and be ready to go for the big part!

My sister became a resident at the Morgan Stanley Hospital. During Caitlin’s two week stay, she never once complained, and the sleeping quarters were pretty rough. My sister has helped me through difficult times my entire life. She is the person I have always gone to. Caitlin was there for us during the darkest hours. She will never know how much that meant to me because there are no words to describe the love she shared.

We had many powerful moments in a short period of time. One, was after I spoke to a cardiologist in the hall. My sister came over, she saw the expression on the doctor’s face and it was in that moment she knew how dire things were. I broke down saying, “Caitlin, we need a miracle, WE NEED A MIRACLE”. She held my hand and said, “OK, we are going to get one.“ We then all went to the Hospital Chapel, asking for what we needed the most, a Miracle. We then turned to all of you asking for you thoughts and prayers. I still believe that we were granted that Miracle because the world came together for that night.

As for the blog, I asked Caitlin to do this so I would not have to call everyone. I am a relatively private person so it seemed an ideal way to keep people informed. Caitlin took this on and created a phenomenon. I don’t even know 200 people never mind 7,000. Throughout the past four weeks I told Caitlin what to post and she finessed it with her fabulous writing skills. She has posted the blog for the past month, never complaining. Caitlin knew how important it was to me and to all of you. She has created blog addicts all over the country and world, and I am one of them. She has done a tremendous job keeping everyone up to date!!! I don’t know what we would have done without the blog or Caitlin.


My Brother Sean Michael:

My brother had three mothers, my mom, sister and myself, and I could not be more proud of the young man he has become. Sean gave up his senior week of college to be with us for the week of Michael’s birth. I stressed that he did not have to come and should wait, but he insisted and said “ Meg there is no where else I would rather be.”

He was there with us through the inducing night and throughout the week. When he had to leave (to make sure he could graduate and complete his finals) and things were not well with Michael, he wrote me a note saying, “Whatever happens, I appreciate everything you do for us. I love you three so much. These have been the happiest days of my life.”

When I read it, I too realized that he was right. Staying positive but to count the days I have had with Michael as a blessing and that they were the happiest days of my life, too. I know there are many more to come because of our little fighter. But in that moment it was nice to reflect on how much joy Michael had brought to us all.

As you know, Sean graduated on time, as I made him promise Michael he would. And as you have seen on the blog, Sean dedicated his graduation “For Mick”! I could not be there for his graduation but we were there in spirit, and I certainly shed some tears when I saw Sean’s cap.


My other sister Sarah: ( Thomas’s sister):

Sarah became a resident at Morgan Stanley hospital as well. Sarah had an important role in the miracle of Mick. She was given Uncle Mick’s rosary beads and told her mother she thought Michael should have them. In response, Monica told her, “Oh yes, he needs them more then your do, and you must get them before the surgery. Sarah, you must over-night them!” Sarah did so and they arrived just in time. You know the story from the blog.

Sarah then drove eight hours to join "Team Mick" and jumped right into the role. Throughout Sarah’s stay, I called her my personal assistant because she was always getting me things that I did not ask for but they were exactly what I needed. She was a tremendous support through our life changing experience.

She also knows just what to say to Thomas to make him feel better, as Thomas’s "go to" person. Aunt Barbara put it best,” Thomas and Sarah have an unbreakable bond, and great respect for one another”. Sarah has been an amazing sister to Thomas, we are both blessed to have her in our lives.

During her stay she too assisted in the blog, keeping spirits high and NEVER losing her FAITH. She consistently remained positive and said “We have too many people praying for little Mick. He has to make it. It has to work!” Sarah was a super trooper, grubbing it out on the family lounge couch for the week. Her mum also said that if she were to lose her job for the extended stay that she would pay her. Of course, Sarah’s company was more then understanding they let her have the time, and for that we are grateful to them.

Our parents knew how special and important it was for us to have our sisters there. We are indebted to our sisters; their time with us was precious and life changing. Team Mick was assembled with the best!


To Gabriel and cousin Calium (Thomas’s sister and our nephew):

Gabriel has been ecstatic ever since we told her that Calium was going to be a big cousin. She has been so helpful with pregnancy and mothering advice. Calium just turned two and is the sweetest boy I have ever met he is so excited to be a big cousin. Gabriel having a two year old knew all the latest accessories in helping with the little ones.

Gabriel gave Michael all of the necessities for a newborn and I can’t wait to have him wear them. She also gave me the Greatest Book, Mom’s Survival Guide! It is just that and I have been relying on it heavily in preparing for Michael’s trip home. Gabriel and Calium have been a great support and I know Michael can’t wait to meet them!


To the rest of our Family:

We are so grateful for all of the support we have received from our aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended loved ones. Michael has felt your love from coast to coast and "across the pond." You have given us the love and continuous encouragement that can only come from very special families.


To Our Friends:

We cannot thank you enough!! It is times like these that Friends shine and take on a new meaning. We are so grateful to have you in our lives. I will be able to return all phone calls soon, thank you for understanding I needed time, I love you all !!!


It is important for us to thank all of our employers who showed their compassion and concern: SHIRE, UBS, Foster School, Moog, Accuracy International, Maloney Properties, and Reuters. We know how fortunate we are to work for companies that value family and have been so supportive throughout our journey. Thomas and I are extremely grateful that we, and our family members, work for such wonderful companies. We cannot THANK YOU enough.


Last but certainly not least we would like to THANK ALL OF YOU!

We cannot express adequately what all of your love, prayers, and support has meant to us. This blog was created initially to keep family and friends updated on Michael. I feel blessed so many people have been touched by Michael’s story. I too, am an addict of the blog. It is funny, I have caught myself reading the blog as an outsider and forget this is all happening to our little babe. I still have not read the pages when things were critical. For now, it is too hard to go back there.

We have been though the ringer. I would not call it a roller coaster because I love them, and instead I would say this is the King Spin. The King Spin is a ride where the floor drops and you are stuck to the wall by gravity as it spins at warp speed. The blog has been a comfort that we needed, every time we got off the King Spin; it was your words, thoughts,and prayers that helped us recover. For the non- blogger, not to worry, I myself am just now blogging. We know that there are over 7,000 people viewing, and have been with us through our journey, sending thoughts and prayers and for that we thank you!

I still cry every time I see our son. It is remarkable how far he has come and he is just too cute for words! He melts my heart and has been magic right from the start.

Over the past nine months, and in particularly the past four weeks, I have made many promises to God and one of them was to continue to be a better person. One way of doing that is to ask all of you to pay it forward. We have been given this miracle of life against all odds. I know that the power of medical brilliance, power of faith, and power of collective good thoughts all played a part in Michael’s success. So I ask of you to uses this power and pay it forward. Be it grand or small, just make today a better day than yesterday.


THANK YOU for being apart of our GREATEST GIFT’s journey.

We still have a long way to go, but we find comfort knowing that we will NEVER WALK ALONE.

All our love,
Meg, Thomas, & our miracle, Michael

P.S I will be taking over the blog. I am now in a much better place and will be able to do so. I cannot promise to do as wonderful job as my sister, but I will do my best. She is teaching me how to post pictures, add music and video, a feat in itself (I'm not the greatest technology person). I have so many amazing pictures and video to share with you.