When a family member is ill, it affects every single person in that family. Even down to the littlest people. Collin's auntie S. (his Mom's 3 year old sister) is a good example of this. Every night before she goes to sleep, she "visits" Baby Collin via this blog. She "oohs" and "aaahs" over the pictures, squeals with delight and repeats "Baby Collin is so adorable!" or "Baby Collin is so precious!" over and over again. With our frequent visits to see him in the NICU, auntie S. has become a veteran of the waiting room/gift shop/cafeteria. Recently she had (as we all have had) an emotional reaction to stress which was like a cloud burst. She cried because SHE couldn't see or hold Baby Collin and "he doesn't even know I am here!"
We decided that she and Baby Collin needed to "meet" in the only way they can right now. "She" purchased a little teddy bear firefighter whose proceeds went to benefit the March of Dimes and we took some photos of her with it. She told it some special secrets for Baby Collin. Tonight, when we visit, we are going to show Baby Collin the picture of auntie S. with the bear, so he will know who sent it to him. Then, we'll take a picture of the bear with Baby Collin so auntie S. can feel like she is right there with them. At night, when Collin's Mommy and Daddy aren't there, "Courage" will remind Collin that he has an auntie at home who is waiting to see him and hold him and love him in person. We think that will give Collin another good reason to fight and get better soon. What do you think?
21 comments:
AWWWWWW!!! ((((((S)))))) Gawd Lora & Chris -- your kids are just the sweetest cutest darlingest sweethearts in the world!!! Yes, I'm including ALL 5 kids, 1 s-i-l, and 1 grandkid in that comment!!!
You've got an AWESOME family!
TP
Thank you, sweetie pie! We *DO* have wonderful kids...even our big hairy sil! :) Looks like our little family will be moving to Omaha, if all things work in their favor. Lord, let this next step be easy and quick, they are going to need all of their strength and faith in the coming days.
Who wouldn't want to be strong for that little cutie??? How special to have that bear be with her and then with him to take a picture. I can't wait to see that one. It's so hard when they're little and may not fully understand what's going on. We had a shirt made with my sons picture on it when we went through the same thing that said "Proud Big Sister" and she insisted on wearing it every day until she could meet her brother in person!
Indeed the trio will have to dig down to their most inner faith, if they haven’t already.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center is in the foreground concerning research and development in pediatric small intestine treatment & transplants. Matt has done a considerable amount of research in a very short period of time. He and Erin both believe Omaha is the next step. We trust and support their decisions and hope Matt's job will transfer him. In addition, we thank God they have a huge support system in Omaha!
None of us know what the future brings…what we do know is we love one another and are here to support you…Matt, Erin & Collin…however, whenever, wherever!
God Bless the Trio and Give you Strength!
Nana V
Thanks for the update on "Aunty S" -- I was wondering how she was handling all this. It's a lot for her! What a sweet idea about the bear. She certainly looks like she is investing that bear with all the love she can muster, and baby Collin will surely "know it" and benefit from her special wishes. Love the picture -- she is just adorable. (((Awww)))
Omaha is next? Wow, what a big step! I hope all goes smoothly. Best wishes to you all for strength and wisdom to see you through the next stages of change.
As always, my heart goes out to the little family, (((Erin))), (((Matt))), and ((((Collin))))!
-Andrea
Tiffany, I love the t-shirt idea, will have to get on that right away! Both of Collin's aunties (S is 3 and A is 9) have their own little "brag" books with his pictures. We know they feel the stress and confusion and worry that WE feel, so we try and make everything as special for them as we can.
Andrea, I have a picture of her "making a wish" on Courage...I'll have to send you that one personally because it is way to corny for the blog! lol
Nana V, yes, we will support and do whatever needs to be done...however, whenever, wherever!
I think you rock out loud, Grandma L. It's hard enough to go through all this, all of you, even without trying to make it right for little Auntie S. Yet you found the strength to do that too.
I actually typed "all of us" instead of "all of you", lol. How much more real can this be for all of us who love you all so?
If Matt's job will transfer him to Omaha, that says a great deal about what he's worth professionally, never mind what all of you mean to family and friends.
There was a story in the news a few weeks ago, a very young adult on a transplant list who got a new liver. She was asked if they could slice a little piece off for a brand new baby. She said, under one condition, I get to meet the baby, and help the baby get better.
I had tears streaming down by the end of the article. I will try to find it for you.
God bless.
How wonderful! That picture is adorable!!! What amazing people all of you must be to be so considerate of others at the same time you're enduring the whole NICU experience! You are truly one of a kind!
There has been some fantastic research about transplants in very young babies. They have found that the donor does not have to be a perfect match. The reason given was that the T-Cells or immune system is not fully developed thus less chance for rejection.
I am sure things will work out for Collin and all of you but it will be a long hard road. Luckily you have the support of a very large family group who are ready and willing to help out. God bless all of you and ~{{{squeezes for Collin}}}~
Marsha
Thank you for the article! I saw a bit about this on the news and at the time I thought it was so sweet that the two liver recipients (the adult and the baby) got to meet. What a special bond those two share!
My dear friend sent me the link, here it is:
One can see just how tiny baby Collin is when one compares the picture with he and his bear to the picture of his aunt holding the bear! God bless him and his large, wonderful family.
Aww, thanks you guys, for the very nice compliments. We just do the best we can! (With lots of help and support from our friends ;) )
Lora,
The photo of Auntie S is so adorable. The story about her and the Fire Fighter Bear is precious! Thank you for telling about Darling S and what she's feeling and doing for Baby Collin.
She must feel like such a big girl, now that she's not the youngest baby in the family!
And thank you for sharing the photo of Baby Collin with Auntie S's Bear. I love it !!!!!
The expression on Baby Collin's face is priceless!
He apprears to be wondering:
"Who's the big fellow who's moved into my bunk.... and is hogging all my space!
I hope he doesn't expect me to share my blankie.
Now, if I could just get my pacifier, before he takes THAT."
Prayers are continued daily for all of you.
With love and hugs,
Deanna
xoxox
Nana V, I caught up today in a comment section that I hadn't fully read and I saw this poem you wrote:
Standing on the outside
Looking in…
Waiting and wondering
When, oh when…
The ring of the phone
New snaps of kin
Standing on the outside
Looking in…
I tell myself
Each day in stride
It’s about Collin
Not my pride
Standing on the outside
Looking in…
Our cross we carry
Is were He’s been
Strength we’ll ask for
Faith within
Standing on the outside
Looking in…
Nana V
March 31, 2007 7:11 AM
You have expressed, so well, the feelings we have all had...watching and waiting for the next bit of information or news. The not knowing is sometimes unbearable--I can relate so well to your feelings! Anyway, thank you for sharing that little bit of you. You're a poet and I didn't know it! :)
Hugs,
Grandma N
I just showed my son the newest photos, told him what I thought Baby Collin was thinking and he said:
"No Mom! Baby Collin seems to be saying:
'HEY ~ I got me a roomie!
He's soft and cuddly and he's my size... and he speaks my language! Wanna share my blankie? Want some pacifier?'
lol
xoxox
Thank you for that, Deanna! lol Tell your son that he has a future in writing "talking baby" movies. I really needed that laugh, so thank you very much, D and Son!
So cute and special! Loved seeing the progression with "Courage" in the bassinette w/ Collin. Sending out a very specific prayer that Collin land exactly where he needs to land, smoothly, to get the care he needs, which will also go smoothly. The hand of God is holding him....never forget that. (((((Collin and family)))))
Good Night my sweet little one! Our prayers are constant.
One step at a time baby Collin...one step at a time!
We love you so much. God Bless you and give you strength.
Hugs and Kisses,
Nana V
Good morning everyone! A new day and a renewed sense of hope and faith greets us.
Last evening, I gave auntie S. a copy of the pictures that I posted in the entry--one of her with Courage and one with Collin with Courage. We put them in her brag book facing each other. She walked over to the corner, gazing at the photos and then stood there just staring. Then she said, "Oh, Baby Collin, I love you so much! Can't you just feel it?!"
I know exactly how she feels...the love is so strong and consuming that it is almost it's own physical entity.
I am at a loss for words…to many I know that might bring a chuckle.
Nevertheless, I thought I would start my day with a few quotes of hope.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step."
- Chinese proverb
"None of us can be free of conflict and woe. Even the greatest men have had to accept disappointments as their daily bread - the art of living lies less in eliminating our troubles than in growing with them."
- Bernard M. Baruch
"Never, never, never give up"
- Winston Churchill
I took these quotes from a wonderful site:
http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/share/hopefulquotes.htm
I “hope” these words bring hope to others.
Nana V
Good morning, Nana V. I like those inspirational quotes...I think Winston Churchill's is my favorite. If you don't mind, I will link that site on the front of the blog, for anyone else who is searching for the right thing to say but can't find the words.
I hope you have a blessed day!
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