"A Time to Remember Babies and Children"

this charm / heart was a gift to each family from the hospital along with a book on grieving



This evening Todd and I traveled the 38 miles to Huntington Memorial Hospital where a Memorial Service was held for all the babies and children who have passed away this past year. As I drove to meet Todd there was a flood of memories and emotions that hit me. Happy, excited, sorrowful, tearful, thankful, and memorable is how I can explain my drive over. Thankful for the loving family and friends who cared for our family during our year long journey with Reese. Thankful for the phone call over to the hospital with one of the first nurses I met for my pre-op appointment. Thankful to have her through each step of the way and for another nurse/friend to meet Todd and I in the lobby to bring us back to the NICU. Happy to see the nurses and doctors that cared for us during our 365 days in the hospital. Excited to give/receive hugs with the loving staff in the NICU and PICU. Sorrowful to see other families hurting as they look over their children and sorrowful to see other parents mourning the loss of their child. Tearful as our sweet Reese Renee's name was read among the other 35 children. Memorable as each parent placed a flower in the vase for the life of their child.

This evening was sweet as it reminds me of God's grace and the hope we have in Him with every detail of our life. How HE carried us through and how HE continues to carry us on. Here are the lyrics to the song "Perfect Peace" by Laura Story. Her words are both convicting and heartfelt as I listened to this song on my way to the hospital, "Perfect Peace".

stay close by my side
keep your eyes on me
though this life is hard
I will give you perfect peace

in this time of trial
pain that no one sees
trust me when i say
I will give you perfect peace

and you'll never walk alone
and you'll never be in need
though I may not calm the storms around you
you can hide in me
burdens that you bear
offer no relief
let me bear your load
cause I will give you perfect peace
stay close by my side
and you'll never walk alone
keep your eyes on me
and you will never be in need
though this life is hard
know that I will always give you perfect peace
I will give you perfect peace

We are forever grateful to the loving staff at Memorial Hospital, CHLA, and All Saints Healthcare. You've touched our family.
grate⋅ful
1. obliged, indebted. Grateful, thankful describe an appreciative attitude for what one has received. Grateful indicates a warm or deep appreciation of personal kindness as shown to one: grateful for favors; grateful to one's neighbors for help in time of trouble. Thankful indicates a disposition to express gratitude by giving thanks, as to a benefactor or to a merciful Providence; there is often a sense of deliverance as well as of appreciation: thankful that one's life was spared in an accident; thankful for the comfort of one's general situation. 3. pleasant, gratifying, satisfying.