It’s not so much the sightings of the 3 birds and the hearts as it is the timing of them. They pop up during a moment of prayer, in times of thanks giving and in bouts of sadness.
A few weeks ago I passed a rack of baby Halloween costumes in the grocery store. Old patterns and ways began wondering what we should dress Nora up as this year. The thought wasn’t out of the gate for but a millisecond before the hinged steel jaws of reality snapped shut, grievously lacerating it. My eyes welled up with tears. “You’d think I’d stop this by now…” I muttered to myself, glancing “randomly” at freshly patched drywall in the front of the store. Two unmistakeable hearts and a barely discernible “Thank You ….” that was once lettered above the windows. No. Thank YOU, sweet baby. Thank you for flooding my heart with such love. Thank you for teaching me and showing me how to trust and rely on God, even when it seems impossible. Thank you for pointing out how frail and precious our time on this earth is. Thank you for helping me to understand that while none of us are guaranteed a tomorrow, we are guaranteed new Life. I could not have dreamt up a sweeter little messenger of God’s goodness and love than you. You were [and are] so much more than a scary diagnosis, Nora. I just had no idea. Thank you, God for entrusting us with such a sweet creation, such a precious gift.
Back home, unloading the groceries, my heart still a little tender, I looked up at the sound of geese honking past in the sky. THREE of them, “I see you. I see your pain. I know your heartache. I’m right here by your side, always will be. Stay strong in me. This is all going to be so worth it. Just wait a little longer, and soon you will see.”
Thank you, God.
No, I didn’t get to dress Nora up for Halloween this year, but she must certainly be dressed up as one of the sweetest little angels there ever was, REAL halo and all!
Greta made this “Nornor pumpkin” that glowed from our front porch last night, in true Nornor style. Her little light still shines on!
Greta recycled her Shirley Temple costume from last year’s wax museum project, and Gavin wore his Jigsaw costume from Halloween last year.
They ran around the neighborhood in the 40° for an hour and a half and came home with a combined 93 lbs. of candy (I think) and a sore throat (Gavin). Grrrr.
I’m loving the Facebook newsfeed. I saw a baby centaur, and a baby Golden Girl. So funny!!!!!!
Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!
iwillcarryyou 
This is so beautiful, Aleisa. It gives me chills how perfect the timing of these “winks” are. God knows what we need exactly when we need it and he’s always faithful. Thank you for continuing to share your story.
Thank you for sharing your story and may God bless you and your family.
That was precious! I adore the NorNor pumpkin! And what do you mean “I thought I would’ve stopped this by now”? It’s your God given right and human need to grieve and ache for that sweet baby. Fast forward several years to Greta’s graduation, beaming with pride, the excitement and chaos then BAM out of nowhere the breathtaking realization in this overpacked, crowded, sweaty gymnasium there’s an empty chair next to you. Your mind will automatically think of her and how she wouldn’t have missed this family milestone for nothing. The tears will still be rolling then I’m sure. Welcome it. Embrace it. And continue to thank God everyday for these little opportunities and remembrances. Time is healing. There’s just no way to know how much time it will take. You have a wonderful heart! Happy Halloween Yuskos
Your beautiful posts always touch such a deep place in my heart and helps me renew my faith. Thank you. Little Nornor is helping so many of us.
Oh my goodness, the NorNor pumpkin…be still my heart!! I’m still praying for you and your family. Hang in there, girl xoxo
We thought of your family this weekend and thought about All Saints Day and All Souls Day ,Nora is certainly the youngest little saint we ever new .She sure spread the love of God .Thankyou for sharing her with all of us jenny and greg
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Oh-my-word….I have never seen a more precious pumpkin. What a great depiction of that sweet baby face Nora. Thank you so much for sharing your heart, Nora, and the rest of your sweet, sweet family. God Bless You.
Dear Aleisa, this is Alessia, your drawsome “friend” :). I read your blog last night, with my husband, I found myself crying. Selfishly, I know we have been so lucky with our girl, who was born 6weeks premature. She is fine and sweet, but I remember the deep fear when she was at the NICU. I was 40 when I was pregnant, and I had to o through all the genetic tests because of advanced maternal age. I asked myself many times what I would have done if I had had a “bad” news. I think you and your husband have been so brave and I admire you for that. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Dear Aleisa, this is Alessia, your drawsome “friend”. I read your blog last night and I found myself crying over your sweet words. Selfishly, I thought I like my husband and I are now that our baby girl is healthy and safe, although she was born 6 weeks premature, and during the time we spent at the NICU I was full of fears. I was 40 when I got pregnant, and I had to go through all the genetic test procedures because of advanced maternal age. I had asked myself many times: what would I do if? I never found an answer. Reading your story, I admire you a lot and I think you and your husband proved yourself to be very brave. My thoughts are with you and your family.