The premature birth, then sadly the loss, of my twin grandchildren has impacted my life in ways I could have never imagined. Due to the unique circumstances at the time of their birth, I was allowed the awesome privilege of being with my daughter as she gave birth during the emergency c-section. This precious little boy and girl arrived at 7:13 and 7:14 pm on March 5, 2012. Words cannot express the love that filled my heart as I witnessed them take their first breaths, watched as the doctors handed each baby to the waiting teams who would concentrate on each baby individually and do everything in their power to help them live and thrive. Weighing only 1 lb. 2 oz. and 1 lb. 6 oz., and being 11 1/2" and 11" long left me staring in awe at the miracle and beauty of life. Tiny, miniature, perfect fingers and toes, caused tears of joy to run down my face. Such beautiful perfection only proves how wonderful God truly is to be our creator.
The babies were rushed away to be cared for by the doctors and nurses. Once they were settled into the NICU, I was allowed to make my first visit. As I looked over each of my newest grandchildren, my eyes were immediately drawn to the fact that the crocheted hats were too large for their little heads which were 22 centimeters around to be exact. The nurses had placed a pale yellow hat on Morgan's head. It was too large for him but not outrageously so. Yet, the hat on Meghan's head was a totally different story. :) Her little cream hat with a red center was so big on her tiny head that I smiled and immediately said "Grandma promises to make you new hats that will fit you perfectly in pretty little girl colors" and because I'm the type of Grandma that makes sure everything is always equal between my grandchildren, I stepped back over to Morgan's incubator and promised him that I would make him new hats in stylish little boy colors that fit his head properly also.
My precious grandchildren were fighters and they tried their best to stay with us. Sadly, their lungs were just not mature and strong enough to allow them to stay on earth longer than two days. They both went to Heaven, approximately 5 hours apart on March 7, 2012. I have no words to express the grief, sorrow and heartache we feel with their loss, nor do I know if I'll ever have another tearless day. With the help of my own mother (Morgan and Meghan's Great-grandmother), I was able to keep my promise to both of them. I crocheted a pink hat and matching afghan for Meghan, and a blue hat and matching afghan for Morgan to compliment the beautiful burial gowns that my mother made using bridal satin from my own wedding gown.
When I made those simple promises to Morgan and Meghan, in no way did I ever imagine that night that their lives would plant a seed in my heart to create a ministry to supply needed items to other preemies that will be the proper size for even the smallest of God's creation...a ministry that naturally had to be named "GRANDMA'S PROMISE".
very touching
ReplyDeleteI know you are going to be a huge blessing to many sweet babies and their worried or grieving families! God bless you for your efforts to make a difference!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Sherry
Theresa this is a beautiful memorial to your precious grandbabies. I would be honored to be a part of this. Count me in! Love you dear friend.
ReplyDeleteMarianne
Theresa,
ReplyDeleteI live in awe of you, your courage and your compassion, but most of all your capacity for giving to others, especially when you are hurting. My daughter, Kristen, was a preemie and the recipient of a pink preemie hat that was knit by some wonderful person in RI. It was so beautiful on her and gave me hope that she would one day wear pretty pink clothes and be well and healthy. When we went home that hat went with us, and 27 years later I still have it as a treasured memento and to remember the tiny gift that I received in having my daughter. I grieve for your loss and for the pain you endure, but this project will make many people very happy and give them hope. Maybe they will wonder, like me, who the caring person was that knit our favorite hat, and look at it with love 27 years later too.
Sue Coutu