Cherish

June 2012

June 2013

It's too easy to forget your child's early struggles or another mom's hardships when you are dealing with your current everyday problems.  And it's also a harsh reality check when something heart-wrenching and seemingly unfathomable happens and you realize that you need to just stop and simply cherish.  Cherish your sweet children and the moments you have with them.

Over a week ago, a friend of mine gave birth to her son at 28 weeks.  We had been chatting for a bit, as she wanted to read up on life in the NICU with an early preemie.  And, selfishly, I struggled.  It brought up a lot of memories that I didn't want to relive - those long days of visiting Xavier in the NICU with another little one tagging along, the roller coaster ride of emotions, the apnea and chronic lung issues, et al - and, as much as I was trying to help her, it just made me sad knowing that she was gearing up to go through a similar long NICU stay of her own.

Then, yesterday, things took a turn for the worse and we lost sweet baby Case at a mere 10 days old.

My heart is broken for her and her family. I can't even begin to imagine what they are going through right now.  I am literally in pain thinking about their anguish at this time.  I am hurting for my friend and am praying that she can find peace and overcome this truly difficult time.

And I am thinking about my own 'lil preemie and how he drives me crazy with his rambunctiousness and lack of sleeping-through-the-night and how he still can't let go of drinking milk from bottles instead of sippy cups.   And I cry because even though he makes me want to tear my hair out and he manages to get sick all.the.time, I can still hug him tight and see his sweet smile and hear that heart-melting giggle.

As it happens, November is the month to remember pregnancy and infant losses and today just happens to be World Prematurity Day.  So I am lifting up in prayer sweet baby Case, my own sister Christine, and all of those babies that left the earthly world too early and are waiting for us in heaven.

Because today, and hopefully every day, I want to cherish.

To read more about baby Case's journey, read here: Our Baby Case.