...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 8 May 2010

meals

it has been another exhaustingly, rough week.

bailey continues to be in more pain.
they have increased her morphine to an hourly dose,
and have changed her feeding schedule to an all day drip...
this seems to allow bailey's digestive system to not
have to work as hard.
she is starting to retain fluids again-
so, medications are changing again to try and make her
more comfortable.
her breathing is very labored as well.

there really are no adequate words
that could depict the exhaustion that
each member of the family is feeling at this time.

it's time to start up meals again...
we would like to start the schedule may 10-
{which happens to be matt's birthday *wink}

if you are able to
make a meal
please email danae gee.
{geedanae@gmail.com}

thank you for your
time and energy-
your gift is more than a fantastic meal,
you are giving them time...
so thank you in advance for the gift of time.

**also, a special thank you to those who
sent gas cards...
matt and heather have been so grateful for all that you have given.

each of you is making a difference-with your
time, talents and treasures-
thank you for allowing them to touch
this precious family.



9 comments:

  1. thinking of you this mother's day...

    isaiah 25:7-8
    "in that day He will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! the Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears."

    i long for this day with you friend.
    soon come Lord. soon come.

    -jaren

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  2. Happy Mom's Day!! Over the past two weeks I walked with you as our journey begins with Miles. He had surgery to remove a brain tumor and was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma. Strength is not an easy task as you watch your child endure the unimaginable. He is in therapy to regain use of his right side and has cerebellar mutism. We are going moment by moment and celebrating every milestone again. As I have read your journey over the past year I am reminded to do one thing . . .breathe. Seems simple enough; yet very painful at times. I think of your often and will continue to pray for your family as I now pray for my own. May you feel the *hugs* I send you and know that I am with you and love you dearly!!

    Much love,
    Nicole

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  3. heather and matt, i just got on here for the first time in months and was stunned to see that you are waiting for your little bailey to "dance with jesus"...my heart hurts for you. matt and i went through this 6 years ago already. though we only waited 3 days i understand how awful it is to watch the labored breathing, the gasps of pain, the difference that comes when a child is nearing death. i am so thankful that you have a community around you that loves you and cares about you and is going through this WITH you. God's love is evident in and through the support he has placed around you. i pray these last days are filled with peace and that bailey will dance with finn (our son) when she gets to heaven, whole and complete.... thinking of you though i am far away. lydia (van cleave) harrison

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  4. Heather, I am so thankful for my time with you last week. My heart breaks for you and I think of you daily. I am sorry you have to go through this. Matt, I hate to see you in so much pain too and I pray for God's mercy for you and your family. We all wish we could change this. Love you guys.

    Bridgette

    Our Father who art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name.
    Thy kingdom come.
    Thy will be done
    on earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread,
    and forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive those who trespass against us,
    and lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.
    For thine is the kingdom,
    and the power, and the glory,
    for ever and ever.
    Amen.

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  5. I thought of you almost immediately when I woke this morning and didn't want to let the feeling pass without sending some love and prayers your way.
    Dear Heavenly Father -
    A dear friend is struggling. She is struggling on the path that she must walk right now; the steps she must take every day to continue on this journey require more strength than any one of us has alone. She has cried out to You. Cried out for strength. Today I cry out for her. Please, dear God, let her feel your love and strength today. Let her feel the power of her Father's love, and be lifted up.
    Amen.

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  6. Heather and Matt,

    God has laid you on my heart daily--the children and I pray for Bailey and for you as they go to bed each night. I pray for you at different times throughout the day as well. Our days here in Bangladesh would be your nights in the US and I am grateful for this because I know the nights have been difficult for Bailey. Some days, all I can pray is, "Help them Father, help them, help them". Our hearts grieve seeing the pain you have and continue to go through. You will remain in our hearts, minds, and prayers.

    Love in Christ,

    rhonda

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  7. Hi Heather -
    I went to the Beth Moore conference tonight and you were on my mind the whole time. You would have loved it!
    Miss you.

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  8. Heather,

    It has been years since I have seen you, but I stumbled across your blog here. I think you were pregnant with your first baby when we ran into one another at Kohl's in GR several years ago. Your family is so beautiful! Your sweet Bailey is on my heart and will remain there. I am praying for you and your husband and children as you are struggling through this time. I pray God will lay a hand of healing and peace upon you.
    Rachel Wandel-Taylor

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  9. No words.

    Just

    a

    tear...

    ReplyDelete