...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.





Sunday, 20 February 2011

2 years...

Taking in today....crossing lines between joy and grief.

we remember sweet Bailey Hope.
oh how we miss your beautiful eyes...
they said more than words could even begin to speak.
your sweet sugary cheeks...snuggling you in your favorite
fuzzy blankets and listening to songs that put you to sleep.
you are missed sweet child...by so many..you are missed.

we celebrate you Alexis Joy.
you turn 2 today. you bring such joy to everyone
who spends time with you. your infectious smile and contagious
giggles remind us that in the midst of devastation, God is near.
that He remains steady...bringing your precious family joy alongside
grief.

we love you.
we remain sitting with you...crossing lines with you.
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6 comments:

  1. Unknown20 February 2011 at 12:12

    Matt and Heather, today we are thinking of you and your sweet daughters Bailey Hope and Alexis Joy... both gifts from God. May He feel near to you today. Love you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tonya20 February 2011 at 19:29

    I've both laughed and cried today thinking of your beautiful daughters! They've forever changed so many. Sincerely wishing Lexie the happiest of second birthdays and rejoicing in her life...yet still such a tangible void. We miss Bailey so much too and are praying for you on this conflicting day. Love to all of you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous21 February 2011 at 21:46

    Happy Birthday!!

    We celebrate. We all celebrate. The life that was, the life that is. The beautiful lives of A & B.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous16 March 2011 at 12:15

    Stopped by the blog to say hi. That I was thinking of you.

    Not sure why it was today.

    But it was.

    You are with me today. I am with you.

    Luv to you always-
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Traynors20 March 2011 at 17:59

    Bailey's bookmark from her funeral is our book mark in the children's bible. Sometimes it sits quietly in someone's hand while we read. Other times, like tonight, it prompts so many questions. Tonight, Syd and Gray were very worried for Makenzie and Carter. What were Bailey's brother and sister feeling? Did Alexis even know? Could we take a really big microscope into the sky and see heaven and what Bailey was up to?
    Bailey is still causing people to examine and discuss God's work in our world. So much influence in sucha small package.
    Love and hugs to you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous6 April 2011 at 10:01

    Read this today and thought of you:


    I wish you understood that grief changes people. I am not the same person
    I was before my child died, and I never will be that person again. If you
    keep waiting for me to get back to my old self, you will stay frustrated.

    I am a new creature with new thoughts, dreams, aspirations, values, and
    beliefs. Please try to get to know the new me maybe youll like me still.

    ReplyDelete

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