...bailey's story...


Our story is a story about a MIRACLE. It is not the kind of miracle that is so often shared in Christian circles. We have heard stories about untreatable cancer that disappeared and of a child that was never supposed to walk or talk and is now a healthy adult. These are often the kinds of stories people share with you when you are experiencing difficult circumstances. Stories about the TRAGEDY that was avoided or the near miss that is now in the rear view mirror of life. We value these types of stories and we CELEBRATE them!

Ours was not that kind of story. Our daughter Bailey Hope was born on February 20, 2009. She died on August 13, 2010. The eighteen months in between were horrible and heart wrenching as we experienced our worst fears coming true. We were not rescued FROM heartache and tragedy.

Our miracle was that we were joined IN this journey by friends and family that gave of themselves and by our GOD who held us in unexplainable ways. This is our story. We do not share it to garner pity. There are others who have similar stories. There are so many others who have more tragic stories.

We share our story because it is impossible to talk about our beautiful daughter, without talking about our beautiful God. We must talk about our daughter. We must talk about our God. It is the MIRACLE behind the MIRACLE.





Saturday, 11 July 2009

if you would like to help...

there are 3 areas that we are going to concentrate on:

1. matt and heather's 9th anniversary is this tuesday!
* a phone call *a card *dropping off some flowers
*i can find out what restaurant they will be at-maybe we could pick
up their tab?

2. the kids
kimberly krampe had a great idea: to put "activity packs" together for them. heather plans out their activities for the morning and the afternoon...the kids would be so excited to open a new packet of activities-and/or snacks! if something like this is on your heart...please contact kimberly...kkrampe@live.com. she is happy to help with ideas too!

3. monday meals
there are some wonderful friends and family from up north that have been providing frozen meals...these have been so greatly appreciated by matt, heather and family.

i asked heather if there was a day that is harder to get a meal together and she mentioned that mondays are really difficult. soOoo...that's where this next idea came about...getting a fresh meal to them on mondays would be a huge help! if you are able to do this, please contact me, jaren....at greenappledesign@comcast.net . i will place you on the list to the side of this blog so that if you forget the date...you can check the blog!

thank-you so much for your concern and your prayers for the mekkes family!
this last stretch of time has been increasingly more painful for everyone...
your faithful prayers and love mean so much to them!

a quick update on bailey:

matt and heather have decided to put feeding therapy on hold for the time being. this has been a difficult decision...but, a necessary one. bailey does not have a lot of energy to even work towards her oral therapy...another piece of grief that matt and heather experience.

secondly, they met with bailey's pediatric neurologist...this doctor is encouraging matt and heather to use some meds that would act as a sedative for bailey so that she would not be aware of the pain that she is experiencing. as difficult as this decision is...it is one that will allow bailey to have better, less painful days. it will also allow her to sleep-which, she hasn't been able to do. she is up all day...maybe sleeping 30 minutes...and the nights are just as difficult.

lastly, matt and heather want me to express their gratitude for you, your love & your prayers. each day they rely on the portion that God gives them...
they are such amazing people...a m a z i n g .
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2 comments:

  1. The Hansen's12 July 2009 at 19:50

    Matt & Heather....my heart aches for you, and Bailey! I think and pray for you often. I that there are not many earthly words to comfort but our God is great and I pray that he continues to grant you peace in this. Much Love~

    ash

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  2. Calli13 July 2009 at 15:04

    I don't think amazing even begins to touch on what Matt and Heather are, but I think it's probably the closest word in the English language to describe them. Praying constantly- love you guys so much.
    Calli

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