The bright sunshine of yesterday has been replaced with dreary rain clouds today. Recipe for a perfect day of cuddling up skin to skin under the blankets with a certain little miss.
Nora continues to eat very well. She is a very content baby. What pure love she is!
I haven’t been able to write much about the hospital experience. I will say that it was very accurately portrayed in Melanie’s photos. Our nurses were top notch and went above and beyond for us. Our OB was magnificent as usual! His upbeat sense of humor and heartfelt compassion that alleviated our angst of the early days was there again to ease our anxiety during Nora’s birth.
There was, however, a point in time immediately after Nora’s birth that was momentarily terrifying. Nora’s heart rate dropped. It was low. Low to the point that they whisked her away from me. We’d thought we’d lost her. My dear friend Kate R. who was present at the birth writes about it in her Letter to Nora. Her description of this experience further validates the absolute miracle that Nora REALLY, TRULY IS!! I now hand the mic over to Kate:
Dear Nora,
As my friend Kim says, “God is so transparent…”
A few weeks ago, I sat down to pray for your mom, your dad and your brother and sister. In the midst of prayer, I suddenly had to ask God “Why? I don’t understand why you create children that have such disorders.” Almost as soon as my mind asked the question, the answer swept over me like a huge wave. Nora, I KNOW why God created you. Without a doubt, I know.
You see, Nora, God creates each of us with a purpose. He has a specific job for each of us. Our job is to serve God and to love one another as God has loved each of us in the process of doing what it is we were put here to do. God wants this from us more than anything because to Him, each precious life He creates matters so much. He loves us more than we could ever love another human being, but He wants us to do our best and love to our capacity. Most of us do not do this and feel we cannot do this, myself included. Too many people annoy us, aggravate us, hurt us and anger us. Many of us spend a lifetime never figuring out what it is God is asking from us. Many of us never listen closely enough or are too distracted to even want to listen. This describes me until recently. Let me explain.
I’ve always prayed, Nora. But more so out of feeling obligated. I’m not proud of this. But I’m so humbled that God chose to show me how to pray. Of all the billions of people in the world He could spend his time on, He spent a little time on me. But not just me, He spent time on THOUSANDS of people. He brought them closer to Him and to His kingdom. And how did He do that? Simple. He used you, Nora. You were God’s chosen one for this job. And in order to use you, he needed to use someone he knew would and could carry you. That is where he used your mom and the gift of the written word He has graced her with. Through your mom’s words, which she chose to share with the world, the work of God came through so clearly. Because of her unconditional love for you, and her unshakable faith in God, everyone who reads and follows her blog has fallen in love with you. Nora, your story has been shared by so many people that it has reached all areas of the country and no doubt, will filter out to the world. God is brilliant! I get it and it is so clear. The bible is God’s word and His display of His love for us. He desires that we read it, understand his love for us and in turn, love each other. He showed us how that is possible on a human level through you and your mom. He also desires that we pray every day. Well guess what? So many people have prayed for you every day. I have prayed harder and more sincerely than I ever have in my life. I have noticed God touching my life more than ever before. I have made life changing decisions that include impacting the lives of others that most of the world casts aside. I love my children more. I love my husband more. I love my parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, friends and neighbors more. This is all because of your life and your mom saying “YES” to God. Through all of her doubt, fear and tears, she took the road God laid before her. She partnered with God to give you life and shared your life with us. My God how she loves you! You cannot even comprehend that love. And you know what is amazing? God loves you more, precious angel. And people everywhere, who don’t know you and will never meet you, love you and love your family.
Nora, I was asked by your mom to be present for your delivery. Oh my God, what a humbling experience that was. Of all the people in her life, she asked me. Maybe she knew I needed this for something painful from a past experience with my job. That seems like the kind of person she is… thinking of others in the midst of her unimaginable circumstance. I don’t know why she asked me, but she did and I can NEVER repay her for doing so. There are no words to describe that day or the moment you arrived and let out your first cry. Nothing I could possibly say could do justice for what was felt by all who witnessed your birth. You cried and then you seemed to need a little help. Your nurse, Amy, brought you to the warmer as all gathered around with anticipation. I saw no movement in your chest at all. You weren’t breathing. Amy moved the stethoscope around as if trying to listen for something… ANYTHING that indicated a beating heart. Your mom was sobbing, her hands folded and pleading desperately with her eyes lifted toward the ceiling. I went to her instinctively as my job once required me to take care of mothers. Your dad and aunts and nurse were by your side. I knew you were being cared for. Your mom cried out in desperation for God to please help you. She was terrified and I had never seen or heard terror like that in my life. The doctor requested the pastor come in for your immediate baptism, as it looked as though you were not going to be with us much longer. Your dad must’ve slipped in when he heard your mom’s desperate plea. You see, Nora, your dad loves your mom like God intended for a husband to love his wife. What a lucky baby you are to have them as your earthly parents! Suddenly, we heard a cry from the warmer. It was as though God breathed life right back into you. Your mother asked, and God came to her, giving her what she needed right then. I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life.
Melanie caught that moment perfectly!
Your family came in and I stood back and observed the overwhelming love they had for you. Again, an experience not able to be explained by words.
And again!
So Nora, I see your purpose. I get why you are here on earth. I get why it was your mom that was chosen. And I will always remember the day I saw a true heavenly angel born. An angel created by God to bring the message of love and prayer to so many. I ‘ll never forget getting to hold her and touch her in human form. The only thing I may never understand is this… why me? Why was I gifted with this? This is my promise… because of this gift, I will use your life to be a better person, to get closer to God, to love others and to get to Heaven. And I know that so many others will too.
I love you, sweet baby Nora. Thank you for what you have done for this world.
iwillcarryyou 
