The other day I received an email from a woman I have never met who is a follower of the blog. I was especially touched by her message to me after I had written to her about a story she had shared with me about the sad loss of a little boy named Ty. With her permission I felt compelled to share her email:

Aleisa,

It’s bittersweet, isn’t it, how the worst of circumstances bring out the best in people. While I’m not involved personally in either your story or Ty’s, I think that one of the things that has given me the most comfort as I’ve seen your stories unfold from afar is to see how much love has been showered upon your families; both from those you know and those whom you have never met. I also think it helps remind me how much more we have in common than we sometimes think. So often it’s easy to see how we all differ -particulary in these highly polarized political times. Coming from the Jewish faith, I seek G-d through a different path than you. I live in an entirely different part of the country. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have fairly different political points of view. I am not a wife, nor a mother. Of all the things that we often consider the cornerstones of our identity, we share few obvious threads. However, as I read your writings, as I look at your photographs, and as I gain an ever growing window into who you are, it becomes clear how much those things don’t always matter. I believe that your story has touched people across political, religious, and societal spectrums because of the love you have for your family and the strength you find in yourself through them and your faith. You call Nora your prophetess, and that may be true, but you gave life to her body, and a voice to her journey; you are no less of a prophet than she.

I hope that you continue to find strength in G-d, your family, and the wide support network that you have been blessed with. I hope that in times of setbacks and frustrations you can remind yourself of the admiration that you’ve earned from so many. On those days, when you feel that Gavin and Greta may not get as much of your attention as they deserve, remind yourself that the joy that radiates from their faces in every picture is proof of the love they feel. As Nora continues on her journey, in whatever directions it may go, please remember that each day, hour, and breath of life that she has on Earth is a direct result of you making one of the most selfless decisions a person can be asked to make.

I wish all the best to you and your family.

Amy

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Sidenote: Amy explained, “In the Jewish faith, we traditionally omit the o when writing G-d’s name in a non-prayer capacity as a sign of respect.” And out of respect to Amy, I’ve left her letter just as she’d written it. (incase you were curious, as I was.) 🙂

Her letter revealed to me the great magnitude that God is really at work in my life. I’m joyful that the generous heaping of love which has been bestowed on my family from all of you is so obvious to someone on the outside looking in. I’m humbled that Nora’s story has crossed any possible cultural, social, political and religious barriers, proving the divine venation through which we are all connected. All the more evidence of God, as I certainly can’t take credit for any of the glory. Thank you again, Amy for your letter.

Pictures of Nora from today:

An afternoon visit from Nana & Papa!

Hanging out with Daddy while Mommy and the big kids went to see a movie!

Here is a picture I forgot to include yesterday. Someone got themselves tired on the way home:

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! (John 15:5-7 NLT)