If you have a preemie, you should read this

Mary Lynn - posted on 03/11/2010 ( 70 moms have responded )

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Found this online today and had to share:

Did you ever wonder how the mothers of premature babies are chosen?
Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth, selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation.

As he observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.

"Beth Armstrong, son. Patron Saint, Matthew.

Marjorie Forrest, daughter.Patron Saint, Celia.

Carrie Rutledge, twins. Patron Saint ... give her Gerard. He's used to profanity.

"Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give her a preemie.

"The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God.

"Could I give a premature baby a mother who knows no laughter? That would be cruel."

"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it.

I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so rare and so necessary in a mother.

You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of its own.

She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."

"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter, I can fix that.
This one is perfect.She has just the right amount of selfishness.

"The angel gasps, "Selfishness?! Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive.
Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect.

She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied.

She will never take for granted a spoken word.

She will never consider a step ordinary.

When her child says 'mama' for the first time, she will be witness to a miracle and know it.

I will permit her to see clearly the things I see ignorance, cruelty, prejudice and allow her to rise above them.

She will never be alone.

I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

"And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in the air.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

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70 Comments

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Caroline - posted on 07/05/2012

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Just beautiful, thank you!

My daughter was born 9 weeks premmie, weighed 3 pounds & 11 ounces, stayed in hospital 4 weeks, she had many challenges. She was not able to walk un-assisted, she needed support to sit up, drooled constantly, developmentally delayed, frequent body tremors, some seizure like episodes, kind of in a daze all the time, clenched left hand, choking on her food, speach problems, left side weakness etc. She was elevated on her toes when holding her to walk, she was splinted for a leg brace & they wanted to give her botox, but after researching botox and discovering how it’s made and there were no long term studies I decided against it. Her life was restricted & so was mine ...and it looked this way for the rest of her life ... & mine. I felt hopeless.

We were attending all sorts of treatments and therapies which cost a lot. A friend told me about some special wellness supplements from a particular company, she started taking them in her yogurt, after one week she was up walking un-assisted, it made an immense difference to her brain function, memory, balance, mood & cognition in a short space of time. She began to thrive. I was elated!

I am so grateful to the person that told me about this incredible technology. She now has a life now ….. and so do I. It’s now over 14 yrs later and she continues to take these special nutrients, she has attended normal public schools, she is almost 16, in a few weeks she begins driving lessons and has just started an after school casual job in a fast paced food takeaway. Now she is taller than me.
http://www.navig8.biz/LifeStyle2

Terri - posted on 11/10/2010

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How true - I always thought that God had picked me rather than it "just happening" but I just didn't know why he picked me. Now I know and it is comforting.

BOBBIE - posted on 11/09/2010

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sitting here crying but Thank you for posting this...My miracle was born at 26 weeks gestation and weighing in at 1lb 13oz after 5 1/2 years of fertility treatments...

Kaila - posted on 10/15/2010

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I LOVE IT!!!! Chosen for all good reasons....I first lost two and was given three back just thur the one he has allowed to survive!! Born 3 months early 2lb 5 oz I on bedrest in hsp leading to her being born. Yes this message hear has touched me dearly as I can relate to the whole passage!! Thanks for posting this....

Margaret - posted on 10/05/2010

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I love it!!! HAnnah was born at 26 wks she weighed 2 lbs and 7 oz and she is my miracle !!!!

Ashleigh - posted on 10/02/2010

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i dont belive in god intill my little angel was born i could of lost her but she is here for a reason and i still blame myself and i know i should, but being a mum of premmie i can do anything life throws my way

VicTORIa - posted on 07/22/2010

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Only those of us who have watched our preemie children struggle through those early difficult days, weeks, and months can really appreciate that the "Terrible Twos" are "Terrific Twos" ! I still remember my son patting me and saying "I miss my stister too!" When I cried at his firsts...without her... I would not give up one minute of the time my first daughter and I did have together. My other 3 children were not nearly as early as she was, and have all grown into lovely teens and adults.

Carolyn - posted on 07/22/2010

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very good, i found one almost the same on another website about two years ago when my preemie was born!!!

Chris - posted on 07/19/2010

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I have tears rollong down my cheeks - It's been a long hard road but finally we are through the worse of it. Just need him to get stronger and build up his immunity now. I use to ask - "why me?" but now I watch him play and realise that my husband and I are truly blessed! I thank God everyday for this amazing child.

Chris

Nancy-Suzie - posted on 07/17/2010

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I love it, it warms my heart as I just had my second preemie and I am wondering why me again, and why so many medical difficulties this time. Thank you for sharing.

Katrina - posted on 07/16/2010

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OMG this sooo made me cry! Thank you so much for this post!

Misty - posted on 07/15/2010

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I've seen this before, I actually saved it on my computer with a bunch of other poems and phrases. That's if I ever get around to scrapbooking again someday!! beautiful....

Candice - posted on 07/12/2010

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we actually got a copy of this poem given to us at the nicu after our daughter was born :)

Sherli - posted on 06/19/2010

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this is so true my daughter said her first word last week which was mummy and sheis my world and i woldnt ever change anything about her XXXxxx

Liz - posted on 06/18/2010

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Reading that just made me tear up. In a good way. :) Thank you for sharing it.

Susan - posted on 05/21/2010

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Thank-you, it made me cry. :) So many people do not understand
how small and how big our world can be all at the same time. We are the strong ones

Lisa - posted on 05/21/2010

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I saw this up on a wall in the hospital I was at. It inspired me to be able to go back to work while my little men were in hospital. Boys were born at 27 weeks. My work basically told me take maternity leave or go back to work. I had 2 weeks off for my c section to heal and then i was back at work until my boys were ready to come home. Now work part time and I love being with my little men, as at the moment i am mum and dad as their dad is in a warzone. My men are my life and this fitting for any mother that has a premie :)

Margaret - posted on 05/19/2010

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OMG,this was so wonderful.I felt it was written specifically for me.Thank you so much,this was just beautiful.

Emily - posted on 05/01/2010

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I couldn't have found a better time for this. Im 21 and a momma to a preemie. I have also been thinking about what is best for my family, debating on joining the military. I think it fits, and is very encouraging. It reminded me that I have to do what is best for my baby, and if it means going through basic training and AIT for his sake I shall. Because there is no better gift than my son. He has fought for his life, and now I shall fight for his and let him know that it is okay to fight for things u believe in. THANK YOU for posting this!!

Lisa - posted on 04/30/2010

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That is beautiful.. it brought me to tears... you have to be the mom of a preemie to truly understand this.. thanks

Wendi - posted on 04/20/2010

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I really like this and sent this in an email to my close friends and family. Thank you for sharing with us : )

Amanda - posted on 04/19/2010

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that put me in tears!! that's absolutely amazing. thank you so much for sharing.

Ellen - posted on 04/19/2010

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I agree Monicquea. I'm almost in tears. Thank you. It's not easy being a preemie mom but it is rewarding when you see what your child has accomplished. It isn't easy for them either. I have acquired more patience! ♥

Marcia - posted on 04/19/2010

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This made me cry. Its so beautiful. My son is right beside me drying my face with a kleenex saying "its ok mom!" LOL!
Thank you for posting this!

Susan - posted on 04/14/2010

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I felt blessed before, now I feel honored!! We tried for 8 years to get pregnant and when our little girl came 6 weeks early we dug in and did what we had to do. Remember some preemie daddy's are just as amazing as the mom's. My husband was wonderful as we managed the two weeks she was in the NICU. Taking care of me (c-section / severe pre-e) and our daughter. I like the idea of putting this in their baby book. :)

Nyleen - posted on 04/13/2010

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this has to one of most beautiful poems ever i am crying as i write this

Shanica - posted on 04/05/2010

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I need this! especially today. Having one of those down days and this really lifted my spirit. Thank you.

Brandy - posted on 04/04/2010

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(tearing from both eyes) This is so beautiful. I believe my son was perfect, he didn't want to wait to be a part of our family. I will never take him for granted. Thank you for the poem.

Lindsey - posted on 04/04/2010

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oh that was so beautiful im proud to be a preemie mummy the words was amazing ...xxxx

Brittany - posted on 04/04/2010

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i love it... i have twin ex preemie sons tat were born at 24 weeks.. and gosh darn it if that last aprt aint true!!! i dont take anything for grated anymore... i cherish every moment and if it werent for prayers i wouldnt ahve been so strong nor would my sons

Emma - posted on 04/04/2010

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:( that made me tear up. my bestie has a 27 weeker and i had a little boy at 36+2 so i am going to print this out for her

Kerry - posted on 04/04/2010

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omg that is so nice i cryed .................................

Robyn - posted on 04/03/2010

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I'm speachless and in tears. Thank you so much for posting this! My daughter means so much to me and I would not have her any other way, even 8 weeks early because it makes her who she is today. and she is now 2 yrs & 3months old.

Jess - posted on 04/03/2010

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Im crying ! And all the lesson I learnt from our experience where flashing before me as I read that. So very beautiful, thank you ! xoxo

Kelly - posted on 04/01/2010

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the first bit of litriture that has conerns towards my son to ever have made me cry. thank you.xxxx its beautiful xxxx