This morning Colson and I delivered Reese's bows to the NICU. There were 41 bows and/or headbands! The nurses were thrilled, and it really touched my heart. I've been back once since we were there with Reese, but it was still really hard. I loved having Colson with me. His chubby grins carried me through.
I've been thinking especially about those baby girls who will receive these bows. I'm so thankful my friends participated in this! I pray these gifts will encourage and bless those NICU parents no matter what is going on with their little baby.
After we went to the NICU we picked out Reese's winter flowers. On the way to the store, I asked myself why in the world I was doing these things on the same day. I do love doing things for her, and we found the perfect ones. It's just when it sinks in what I'm actually doing, sadness overwhelms me.
This weekend we decorated our Christmas tree. Me mainly. ; ) Jason did a great job of putting it together. Great job, babe! As I was hanging all the ornaments we received last year in honor of Reese, Colson was just talking away in the den. It was such a comfort to hear his sweet voice. My heart is aching, but I have such gratitude at the same time.
As the holidays stir up a lot of emotions, I keep telling myself to take everything one day at a time. I'm also reminded of all of the people who pray for us, lift us up, and love on us. Priceless gifts from the One who is still carrying us through each day. Thank you!
...according to Your love remember me,
for You, LORD, are good.
Psalm 35:7
27 comments:
What a sweet idea with the bows. God has used Reese's life in such big ways. Praying for you as the holidays draw near.
What a wonderfully sweet thing to do! I know those other moms will find your sweet gift from your angel a comfort.
Praying for you! I should remember and could go back and look but where y'all at Arkansas Children's? My cousins family started the Jackson L. Graves foundation in memory of their son who passed away about 6 years ago and are very active in doing fundraisers, etc for the NICU...in fact my cousins wife was there today having meetings. Anyways, just curious if it was the same hospital.
Katie, My heart still aches for you. I pray each day that God will help the lessen the grief that you feel. I am so sorry for your loss. The bows were a wonderful way to carry on Reese's memory and bring a little comfort to a family who is going through a difficult time.
So, so sweet all those bows you took to the NICU. Those will touch lives in ways that you'll never know! I love to see how the LORD uses Reese's sweet life! I know the holidays are hard, know that I am praying for you and thinking of you often, you're not alone in this! Love you!!
What a sweet blessing those bows will be to so many families. Reese is being used for a purpose much bigger than any of us, which is beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. Praying for peace for you all at the holidays and always.
That's so sweet. I am the same way with my older daughter - having her around when I do things that are a little hard for the first time really helps me get through it.
That's so sweet. I am the same way with my older daughter - having her around when I do things that are a little hard for the first time really helps me get through it.
What a great idea! We also bring a basket to the NICU every year filled with different things for babies & their families. I love doing it! I will have to add some bows this year :)
Praying for you and remembering your sweet baby girl this Christmas!!
What a bittersweet day.
God is working through you and you are doing a wonderful job allowing Him to do so.
I look up to you so much, you are such an inspiration.
Your boys are lucky to have you..and Reese is just beyond thrilled I'm sure.
Her mommy putting together projects to make baby girls fancy, nothing better ;)
I love that you took bows in her memory. What a sweet thing to do!!
What a sweet idea. I will be praying for you and your family this Christmas.
I love all your ideas of how you continue to honor Reese. She is such a lucky girl :) I find it hard myself to honor our son in the open and with others. Mostly I talk to him myself and really keep it all inside. You inspire me to be more open and feel like it's ok. This coming March will be 5 years since he passed. I feel an ache in my heart that I need to really do something special to honor him. Still pray for your peace and still love following your blog :)
What a beautiful way to honor your sweet daughter! So many families will be touched and feel Christ's love because of those bows.
I love Reese Catherine's ornaments too. Just precious!
What a wonderful, sweet amazing idea to give the bows/headbands to the NICU! Those little girls will be stylin' in the most presh of bows! I know it must of been so hard for you sweet friend, I am so glad you had Colson with you to ease some of the pain you must of been feeling! You are so strong, so sweet, such and inspiration and I am so glad we have become friends although I wish it was under much different circumstances! I bet you picked out the perfect flowers for Reese and I can't wait to see a picture of them! I sent the hubs to get a saddle arrangement for my daddy's grave and he came back from the florist with blue and silver flowers, all kinds of berries, sparkley pinecones and a big deer right in the center LOL....it is pretty but so funny note to self even if I feel bad pick out the arrangement hahahha
OK Jason sounds like Greg, Greg puts the tree up and then watches us decorate it :0)
Reese's ornaments are beautiful! I pray that you can have some peace in your heart and your pain eases some so that you can enjoy the holidays....I can't imagine how hard it must be
One Day At A time sweet girl
love you
Summer
I think the bow idea was such a neat one. Being a former NICU Grandma, I know how much those little touches of 'normalcy' mean.
Last Sunday my youngest sang the Sara Grove song, 'He's Always Been Faithful to Me.' She sang it in at the request of her dad. By the end of it, most of the church was weeping. Little does she know that next week he has a biopsy and there is a 50/50 chance that it is cancer.
Even when we don't understand, or struggle, isn't it amazing that He has always been faithful?
You are as always, a blessing.
This was such a wonderful way to honor Reese's memory! What a blessing they will be to the families that receive them.
You are truly an amazing person Katie! You never cease to amaze me with your thoughtfulness towards others. You are such an inspiration!
Katie,
I just found your blog! we have plans to give back to the NICU too.. With clothes.. I just remember how hard it is to find clothes for Timothy..We wanted him to have clothes of his own and rely on the mix-match they had, so I am hoping by stocking them up, that some of the babes will get some new clothes!
I love your bow idea! The night before we discharged we saw a wee little girl with a giant bow in her hair, and I almost cried she was soo cute!
Joy mixed with sorrow is such a strange mix but something I'm learning more about and sounds like you are as well. Praying for you this Christmas season.
Katie - you are such a blessing to so many people. Reese works through you to reach others and it is beautiful to see. I know your sweet heart will never be the same but Reese's small footprints have clearly left a huge mark on your heart. Your faith is an inspiration and I admire the woman you are.
My heart aches as I look at those bows. May God hold you extra close these days and in these upcoming holidays. I know He will be faithful to do it as He always has. SO thankful for your faith and sweet spirit that encourages me, Katie.
yes, grace each day is still prayed for even after 3 years.
Beautiful idea with the bows! What a blessing Reese is still!!
Cindy
I was just getting on here to leave you a comment about the bows so I'm glad you posted about them. I saw a mom pick out the pink headband. She was so happy to get it. She said she picked it because it was a soft one for her baby's head. I thought of you and what a sweet way to remember Reese.
Sorry I missed seeing you.
I love what you did with the bows. I have a 13 month old daughter in heaven since 2001. Christmas time is very hard, well ok every day is. But, at Christmas, I get a new Christmas candle every year and starting from Thanksgiving weekend on, we light it every night at supper and until bed. Watching that flame flicker is amamzing. I love hearing my daughter say mommy its time to light Lexie's candle.
Tina
How sweet of you to deliver bows in Reese's name! So awesome that you are thinking of others in the midst of your own hurt! God bless!
Hi Katie just here doing some Reese reading. How very sweet you donated her bows. Such a compassionate heart you have. Thanks for all these beautiful posts!
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