3 steps forward, 1 step back

Friday, December 24, 2010

Today was a pretty rough day for Keri. She said it was a "realization" day. I was gone most of the day, so I think she had time to just think about what was actually happening. I kinda feel bad for leaving her, but I was trying to get stuff done around the house FOR her, so that's how I justified it.

While I was home, Keri texted me saying the doctors were worried that she wasn't healing properly and so they took her off her regular diet and put her back on a clear liquid diet. Definitely a bummer. So with that along with "realization" day, Keri's had a pretty rough day.

Then, on top of all that, we went and saw Claire tonight and there was a little baby hat sitting on the chair with this note inside of it:

"Dear Special Care Parents,

Our son, Jake, was born 10 weeks premature. He was at Evergreen Hospital, Children's Hospital, and Providence Special Care from June 10th to August 20th 2000. The daily emotional 'roller coaster' of a preemie was exhausting. Did my child have a good day or a bad day? How many alarms? Did he digest his food? Will he ever nurse? The tears fell as we wondered when we were ever going to be together as a family at home.

We want you to know that there is hope! Our son is 10 1/2 yrs old now. He is a complete sports nut...hockey, baseball, snowboarding and wakeboarding. He is full of life and an absolute delight. We are truly blessed and thankful for God's precious gift to us.

We desire to bring your family hope and comfort this Christmas season. This time seems like forever, but it does pass. You will be home again soon. From the day we left special care, we promised ourselves that we would help others that are experiencing life in the NICU. My wife makes these hats and prays for the little ones that will be wearing them. Each Christmas, our family delivers these gifts to families like yours. Let it bring comfort to you knowing that through the toughest times, you are not alone.

With Love,
Blaine, Ann, Emmalee, Jenna and Jake McNeil

This is a special verse to us. We knew we were comforted with God's grace and our hope is that we can comfort you with the comfort we received!
'Praise be to the God...the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God..." II Corinthians 1:3,4"


Um.... awesome much??? Can anyone say providential? The day Keri is having the hardest time being alone in the hospital thinking about all the craziness going on, we get sent this "anonymous" letter with a gift. It was quite overwhelming. God is so, so good to us. I cannot even describe.

4 comments:

Bekah said...

You guys!! That is incredible!! I have had two kids go through the NICU at Providence. It is an awesome group of nurses that work there! More encouragement...Ben was in the NICU for two weeks and now is a healthy 5 year old. Phoebe was in there for a week and now is a crazy toddler!

Emma said...

So glad you were encouraged on a rough day. Still constantly thinking and praying for you guys. Love you!

Jenny said...

God is amazing, what a sweet post, thanks for sharing :)

Steph said...

Thank you for sharing that, Brian. It warms my heart to know that even strangers are praying for little Claire. God Bless you all.

 
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