It’s been almost a year since I last wrote asking for prayers for my son Hayden. He’s two and a half now and all too accustomed to going to see doctors.
As you can see from the picture taken last weekend, he looks happy and healthy and after tomorrow’s surgery, I’m hoping he’ll be just as happy and healthy on the inside.
Since everyone asks, "what’s wrong with him?" I’ll give you a brief sketch… he was born with a fairly common condition where urine can reflux back up into his kidneys (causing infection) and the doc’s tried to fix the problem surgically last February. Well, they got the job 50% right, with enough of a problem still remaining on one side that they want another shot at it.
In the mean time, last May Hayden fell off his brother’s shoulders and broke his right arm and just last November he had a hernia that required emergency surgery at 3 in the morning.
Through all this he’s always amazed us at how well he recovers and handles the whole thing.
At 8am central time tomorrow, he’ll be back in the operating room and my wife Aimee and I will be pacing in the waiting area once again.
While we, too, have gotten a certain level of acceptance with these hospital trips, nothing can truly calm a parent’s mind while their child is in danger than the faith that larger forces in the universe are on our side. Last February, just 15 minutes before we left for the hospital for his first surgery, I wrote an email asking for prayers for Hayden and we were literally swamped with personal emails wishing him and us well.
So once again, I’m sending out an email asking for prayers for Hayden… after all, it’s worked in the past 
And, I do hope that this will be the last surgery he ever requires and that after a few months he’ll get tested and we’ll find he’ll be putting this behind him.
Heck, by the time he’s 5 years old, I’d love it if he couldn’t even remember it happened.
Last time I wrote about this I mixed in a marketing lesson about the importance of selling people things that they really want.
At the time, if someone could have sold me a solution for Hayden that didn’t require surgery, I would have paid on the spot without hesitation. While an extreme example, there are products and services that people are passionate about that are better to sell than others where the interest is more lukewarm (or non-existent).
Because my last post generated so much interest about viral marketing, I thought I’d talk about the viral effect of my last email about Hayden.
Not only did my subscribers email me, but word spread to the point where people were talking about ‘how’s Hayden’ all over the place, even during the opening minutes of a teleseminar I wasn’t even on.
Eventually, I had phone calls and emails from people far and wide, many who I knew were not on my list.
This isn’t a case study for profit, of course, but it does illustrate the effect of people talking with each other and spreading emails and web links between each other when they have something they want to share.
We’re all connected by social networks and if you set up the right systems, you can tap into the vast power of word of mouth communication, too.
In the coming weeks, I will be talking more with you about incorporating viral marketing into your business model, but for now I want to let you know I will likely be out of the office for a while.
And, the viral word of mouth I am most interested in now is for all our prayers to reach the right ears and bring my son through these next few days safe, healthy, and in good hands.
I’ve been asked to post as soon as I have word on Hayden and I promise you’ll be among the first to know after his grandparents
Here’s to the unlimited power of prayer and positive energy (and the best surgeon in Austin!),
Craig Perrine
{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear Craig,
It is a priviledge to lift your precious son before the Lord. God is in control & delights in His children.
Most Sincerely,
Kerri
My thoughts will be on Hayden, and his parents tomorrow. My heart too; my sons are 17 and 16…I’m facing the “driving a car” time in parenting – and it’s not easy. Parenting is joyous, yet heart-wrenching; an amazing journey of trust and love.
Be well.
Be strong.
You’ve got the positive energies of thousands beside you!
Love!
K
I wish you an your wife all the best for Hayden, I understand fully how you must feel, have 3 little kids myself, I will ask the boss of the universum to watch over your little one. Warm greetz from Belgium.
Craig please no that everything is in Divine order. We each call the situation and circumstances into our lives so that we can understand and know more deeply who we are. I appreciate you allowing me into your space. Your son is in my prayers.
Rickey
the prayers do go out for him and your family
Craig – My thoughts and prayers are with you, your wife, and especially with Hayden. I pray that the Lord sees fit to grant your request that this be his last surgery and that by the time he’s 5 he doesn’t even remember it.
God loves His children and He will take care of all of you.
Fondly,
Cathy
I feel for you as a parent. My husband and I felt the world falling apart when we were told that our 4 year old girl’s cyst in her arm was actually a low-grade malignant tumor. She’s 8 now and a very happy, sweet and healthy girl. Our prayers are with you and your family, Craig, knowing that God’s power is running in and through Hayden, protecting him and keeping him safe. God, the creator of the sun, and the stars and the entire Universe, is in charge. Let Him do the work and let’s just be grateful knowing that it is already Done. And so it is.
Keep us posted on the great news!!
Monica
http://www.naturalcures.com
Craig my prayers go to your son for a successful surgery and a complete recovery. Prayer is an amzaing thing and my prayer is God will grant full healing to your son and peace for you and your wif.
In Him,
Scott
In the Eyes of the Universe, all is well. I wish you God’s infinate peace and comfort in this time of trial and testing. My heart is with you and may I add that Hayden is not finished bringing the most wonderful smiles and light into your lives..!!!!!!!
Many Blessings,
Thomas Brant
Best wishes to you and Hayden! Your little man is so full of light and energy, he will bounce back from the drugs easily and be healed better than ever before. Joe and I are focusing on being together again this summer with you, Hayden and the family.
Love,
Nerissa
Dear Hayden,
I am not what you would normally call a ‘Religious’ person, but I do believe in the Lord and I do pray on occasion. I will pray that your operation is super successful.
I myself am disabled with complications of Diabetes and understand the precious nature of having good health.
Hayden, your Dad is in a unique position to be able ask a lot of people to come together and pray for you. I know that my prayer alone may not carry much influence, but along with all the friends your Dad has online, I know that it will generate a very loud and powerful Prayer that I am sure will be heard!
God Bless you Hayden, I hope my little Prayer will help.
Craig, of course I’ll say a prayer for Hayden. I’ll also say one for you and your family. There is a great deal of positive, loving energy directed his way…great things happen with this!
Sending you Love and Blessings,
Nancy
I am alive today because I was on prayer chains all over the world. Just
2 weeks ago my granddaughter age 2 months spent two weeks in intensive
care in “Texas Childrens Hospital” in Houston. On the fourth day a Preist
was called in, because she was not supposed to make the night. Through
hundreds and even thousands of people praying for her, she is now home and doing find. The power of prayer is tremendous. I pray to the Lord that
Hayden comes out of his surgery in great shape and ready to be a happy
little boy like I think God intended.
Craig,
I have prayed, and will continue to pray for you, Aimee and Hayden.
My thoughts will be with you tomorrow…
Karen
Craig,
I will be praying for Hayden – his precious brothers, Aimee and you. May God shower you with calming blessings and good results for your darling son. From experience I can share this: Hayden will recover a lot faster than his parents will. I send you love and light. Hayden will be fine.
Dear Craig,
That is the sweetest picture, what a beautiful child! The sparkle in his eyes makes your blessings so apparent.
We will gladly add young Hayden, you and Aimee to our prayer list.
Godspeed,
Cynthia
Craig:
I guess that Hayden is getting all of his health issues out of the way so that he never needs to see a doctor or operating room again. How lucky he is!
My heart goes out to all of you–laugh a little. You all need it. And know that you’re doing your part to support the medical industry! A few years ago, I woke up in the recovery room telling dirty doctor jokes–hopefully Hayden won’t do the same!
On a more serious note–see if you can play some wonderful, uplifting music in the operating room so that Hayden can have a better experience. He may be under sedation, but he will know how much love is in the room for him.
Best to all of you–Namaste.
Ken
Craig,
Last Sept. we shared a cab to the airport after you spoke at the Internet Marketing Main Event in Phoenix. It was a pleasure to meet you.
The thoughts and prayers of my family go out to Hayden and all of you. My own two year old recently had minor surgery and it was nerve wracking for me and my wife, so I can only imagine what you are going through.
At 9AM Eastern time tomorrow, I will stop what I am doing to send out a prayer and positive thoughts for Hayden.
Michael Ambrosio
The Universe has big plans for that little guy. He’s going to be just fine, and you have more friends and people who care about you than you and Aimee will ever truly realize. Michel and I will both be sending tons of positive thoughts in your direction. We love you.
God bless you Hayden, all will be well!
I see light and hope.
Our prayers are for Hayden ( my middle name ) and our thoughts are with you and his Mom.
Hi Craig,
My friends and I will lift you, your wife, and your son up in prayer. Not just for success in surgery and rapid healing, but for your comforts as well. You have an army of Christians praying for your family. Have peace in the knowledge that Jesus is in the midst of all of this.
Bless you and your family. You have helped many, and we are here in return to show our support.
Dear Craig, Aimee and Hayden,
Heavenly Father . . .
Your word proclaims that if two of us on earth agree and ask through the power of your son Jesus Christ, that it will be done for us here on earth just like it will be done in Heaven.
Father, we agree and ask you to send forth your spirit and power to heal Hayden’s condition, to allow his body to work perfectly, exactly as you have designed it, and ask that you be glorified in the miracles You are about to do in the entire Perrine family.
We ask that you send your Holy Spirit to minister and touch each and every one who comes in contact with Hayden and his entire family.
Lord, let your perfect will come to pass for Hayden, your covenant child.
We ask in our Lord and Savior’s name, Jesus Christ and give you the praise and glory and honor for the miracles you are about to perform.
Thank you Heavenly Father for hearing and answering our prayers. All glory to you. Amen.
Hi Craig,
I will certainly keep Hayden, you & Aimee in my prayers. Let us know how he is after surgery!
Best wishes and God Bless,
Jen
My prayers are with you and your family in what must be a truly tough time.
I’m praying for Hayden, for his wellbeing and the wellbeing of all your family.
love and Blessings,
Jesus
May the highest divine good express itself for you, Hayden, your wife, and your entire family…. much peace and light
craig,
god bless hayden.
I’m saying a prayer for Hayden, your whole family, and the doctors and hospital staff. If you would like live prayer, you can call Silent Unity anytime (24/7) at 1-800-669-7729 and they will pray with you. Or you can e-mail your prayer request to http://www.unityonline.org/Pray_submitPrayerRequest.htm. I’ve used them when critical things were happening in my family. My grand-niece, 4 months old, has a problem similar to Hayden’s. We look forward to her being healed completely too. Please know that you and yours are blessed at this very moment. Much love!
Dear Craig
You and Hayden are in our prayers.
May God Bless Hayden with a Miracle Healing
Ken Little
hi Craig
just watch with passion every moment.That is all…We are knowing that
Hayden is innocent.
Hi Craig,
I will definitely pray for your little Hayden, as well as your family and especially the surgeon and medical staff.
Blessings and Faith,
Allison Sheffield
Craig,
I like what one of the other comments said: Hayden’s getting medical issues out of the way early in his life so he never has to see doctors again!
Thank you for sharing this with me – I’m a parent too…
May Hayden grow to be so strong and healthy that these times fade into a distant and hard-to-believe memory.
Raynay
“Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you…” Doing just that (and only that), I walked away from “terminal” cancer over 10 years ago. There’s power in the Word, brother – you can bet your life on it. I did. And there’s nothing ’special’ about me – you’ve seen that for yourself
The ’special’ part is in the God who watches over His Word to perform it. And remember, He cares as much for Hayden as He does for anyone who ever walked the earth…
My prayers this morning are with Hayden, and with his parents standing by….
Here’s wishing all the best to Hayden and the rest of your family. All is that is meant to be. But that doesn’t help when your a doting parent. Perhaps this will help a little. My son was born 5 weeks early and immediately popped a lung upon aspiration. In intensive care for 2 weeks, he has since had two hernia operations. Prognosis — well, 20 years later he towers over dad at 5′10″ and 245 lbs!!( Dad must really be short?) I still worry about my ‘little buddy’ to this day, but he is a happy guy living on his own and managing a small business, so everything happens for a reason (mostly to test US I think).
All will be well, take care and Love to the Perrine family.
Hayden’s really cute!
I wish him the best of health for his whole life..
n I pray this may be the last time he has to go for surgery.
and I hope that your family always see happy moments.
my best wishes are with hayden.
God Bless!
Hi Craig
I didn’t see your mail until today so the surgery must have already taken place, but I do wish all of you the very best and pray for Hayden’s speedy and safe recovery
Take care
Gill
Hi Craig,
Our prayers go out to you Aimee and Hayden, such a lovely looking boy!
May God be with you!
God Bless,
Robert
Dear Craig,
Your son seams to radiate joy and life.
I know growing up, I must have scared my parents so many times between the accidents and operations. But I am fine now, the breaks have all healed, the scares just quiet reminders of the wonder of modern medicine.
I will gladly send all my best wishes and prayers…
Paul Sterling
My prayers are with you and your family. He is as strong as he is handsome. I have a 13-year old son and I’ve been down that road for a brief moment. Nothing compared to what you two have endured. My prayers are with you.
Peace & Blessings, Simone
Criag,
Our prayers are and have been with you, Aimee and Hayden.
Any updates yet?
Take care and God Bless.
Leon Williams – South Africa
Prayers stretch across countries and nations and my prayers go out to Hayden, Aimee , you and your other son – That Hayden will be completely healed – and that Aimee, you and your other son will be comforted during this trying time. My God bless you all.
Dear Craig,
Hayden will be fine and raring to go as soon as he gets out of bed in the hospital. He is a little angel here to remind you that nothing stops great positive attitude and forward momentum. He will be alright and dancing soon enough.
*hugs* to you and your family.
Janine
Of ourselves we are nothing. The Father doeth the work. I pray that you, your wife and child are resting and recovering peacefully… basking in the glory of our Father. May you hear and recieve His will for your family and find acceptence and purpose in His divine plan for you. Thy will be done.
C.P.G.