03/20/2020
Edit to add: This is about our son Asher. He was born at one pound four ounces at 23 weeks gestation. He is a healthy and happy seven year old now! However, for those of you who do not know our story, we did lose our first son, Aiden Michael. He was stillborn at 21 weeks gestation.
On this day seven years ago, we were told to tell Asher our “see you in heaven” goodbyes. He was on the highest respiratory settings, constantly dropping his numbers and needing bagged, and his lungs were as hazy as one respiratory therapist told us “he’s ever seen.” As I write this short paragraph, my heart races and my eyes welled with tears.
I am sharing this, because even on our darkest and scariest days, there are rainbows on the other side. Who would have thought seven years later you would never know Asher was ever a micropreemie that almost did not make it on five different occassions, one being this last summer when he needed emergency gallbladder removal? Even on the hardest times, there is hope. During these times, we see clearly what love, kindness, and true happiness looks like. We understand the importance of health and how it is what will lead to true happiness. Of course we are all worried about what will come in the next few weeks. We worry about finances as many of us are out of work or are working from home, but your services can no longer be paid for since others are out of work. We are worried about getting food on the table, our family getting sick, etc, etc, etc. However, this fear will never lead to living in the moment. Instead, it leads to living in a future state which is stressful, causes anxiety for everyone, and allows for a negative mindset to sink in. Don’t do this friends!
During this time, I encourage you to live in the moment. Be grateful for today’s gifts! Love on your family... thank God for your family’s health... don’t worry and stress about what is going to happen next. We are ALL in the same boat! We are in this TOGETHER! While Asher was sick, we never stopped envisioning his future with us. Asher was NOT going to go to heaven anytime soon in our minds. We set our minds on the rainbows following this terrible storm. I encourage you to set your mind on the rainbows you see following this storm we are in. If you don’t, you’ll continue to live in this storm, while others are finding their rainbows!
Spread love, kindness, and joy today friends! Stay well! Xoxo ! 💞 🌈
