Congenital Heat Defect Awareness Week

I've mentioned many times how incredibly blessed we have been that our micropreemie daughter has no ongoing health problems. Being born four months early usually leads to a lot more issues that we are facing. We dodged brain bleeds, digestion issues, and heart problems.

Not all preemies, or babies in general, are so lucky. I want to share with all of you that, not only is this Valentine's week, it is also Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. You can go here to learn more about it.

One of the sweetest young families that we got to know during our NICU stay has a little girl the same age as ours who has as a CHD. It is from them that I have this poem to share with you:

Somewhere…someplace… today…
A family is waiting to hear…
Is something wrong with their baby?
The answers aren’t quite clear…
This family has entered an unwanted world…
And they just don’t know what to expect…
Somewhere…someplace… today
They first heard the words: heart defect.
And how they hoped this was not true…
And thought… this cannot be…
I too… know just how this feels…
For one day…this was me.

Somewhere…someplace…today…
A man and a woman embrace…
Their baby is in surgery…
They long to see her face…
They haven’t got to hold her yet…
Without…a cord or line…
They pace the room awaiting news…
And hope she’ll be just fine.
Prayers fill this busy waiting room…
And mom and dad are scared…
Somewhere…someplace..today…
The tiniest hearts are repaired.

Somewhere…someplace…today…
A child’s growing fast…
Smiling,laughing,thriving…
His mom thinks…can this last?
It’s almost easy…to forget…
That anything is wrong…
Somewhere…someplace..today…
Her child seems so strong.

Somewhere…someplace… today…
A little boy fights…just to live
A father holds his tiny hand…
His love…all he can give…
The doctor’s are all baffled…
They fear that he might die…
Somewhere…someplace…today…
A family says goodbye…

Somewhere…someplace…each year..
More than 40,000 families will see…
What it means…when something’s wrong…
They’ll face a CHD.
Today…for just a moment…
Stop…remember…reflect…
Make time to tell someone you know…
“I’ve been changed by a heart defect”.

Author - Stephanie Husted

I've been changed by this amazing little girl's story. She is one tough cookie and has the most beautiful spirit. Today, I am thankful for my family's health. I am thankful for good friends. I am thankful for the amazing medical advances we see every day. And I am thankful for the power of prayer...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For more stories of gratitude this Valentine's Day, be sure to visit Laura's site for a special edition of Gratituesday!