seven sparrows: February 2012

...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.

Monday, 20 February 2012

living in the hallways

i know a man who has two sons.
Both of his sons are married, and both their wives became pregnant in the same year. Out of the two pregnancies, ONE ENDED IN A MISCARRIAGE, THE OTHER IN A HEALTHY BABY BOY.

And so twice in that year this man I know went to the same hospital, walked down the same hallways with his same family members.

The first time to grieve and mourn, the second time to rejoice and celebrate.

WE LIVE IN THE HALLWAYS, DON'T WE?"
excerpt from Rob Bell's, Drops like stars.

Living in the hallway!

We can't "just celebrate" today, we must grieve, but we also can't "just grieve" because we have so much to celebrate.

Happy Birthday Bailey and Alexis - you are so sacred and special!!

Monday, 6 February 2012

today....

Today our beautiful daughter has been in heaven as long as she was here with us. I had planned to write more, but I'm just not able too. We love you, and we miss you Bailey. So glad you are free.