Today was the day, 7 years ago that
we brought Ella and Mattie home from the hospital. We had been STUCK in the NICU for 43
days since their premature arrival into our world. Though it didn’t feel that way at the time,
it was a very uneventful NICU stay. Basically
the girl’s biggest challenge was to suck, swallow, and breathe at the same time. After a last minute blood transfusion and
Mattie FINALLY passing her car seat test that could demonstrate she wouldn’t
stop breathing on the way home from the hospital, we were discharged and on our
way.
Freedom from machines and
isolations gowns was welcomed and also met with some anxiety. We were on our own without these safety
measures in place and it was our turn to care and protect for our girls. I remember sitting between them on the car
ride home, and promising that I would always make sure they knew how much God
and other people love them. I told them
about all the people who had prayed for their homecoming.
This morning, after communion, our family
of 5 knelt to pray and share something we were thankful for. My thanksgiving was that 7 years ago, I brought
two precious gifts home. We are a
family. As their mom, I am not perfect,
but I will never stop telling them about God’s love and how God’s presence
sustains them. I hope that message will
stick for a lifetime.
Happy Homecoming Ella Grace and
Mattie Jane!
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