There was a reunion last night. It might be the only reunion I have ever felt excited about and anxious to attend. Last night B and I took the children to LDS Hospital's Special Care Nursery reunion for patients and families. We visited with nurses and doctors who cared for our babies and met other families who had the "opportunity" to spend time there as well.
When we found a place to sit and eat some ice cream, I watched as parents approached nurses with their baby in tow and ask "Do you remember us?" I knew what those parents were thinking, because the same things were running through my head. "Do you remember us? Because we remember you. We will never forget you. You were the one that watched over our baby. You checked his stats and gave him IV's. You made sure he had the right medicine, food, and warmth. You bathed him. You changed his clothes. You held and soothed him when I couldn't be there. You taught me how to use my body to nourish and feed my baby. You hugged me when I wept from being overwhelmed and assured me that everything would work out. You made the NICU experience manageable and almost a sacred experience. You were our baby's nurse and you will never be forgotten."
(Sarah was/is one of our favorite nurses. The SCN is EXACTLY where she belongs.)
As we walked out of the hospital, I looked back and thought about how heartbroken I was the first night I had to leave without my babes. I smiled to myself as I carried my healthy, happy Finn on my hip and Liam right behind me with B. Last night, I left that hospital with full hands and a full heart.
Much thanks to LDS Hospital Special Care Nursery
Loved this! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou made me cry! Although none of my babies have been in the NICU as long as yours were...your writing brought back some hard memories. Those nurses are amazing! Glad you got to go back and see them. Your boys are getting so big and are just perfect!
ReplyDeleteDid someone cut a bunch of onions in here, or something? I'm all teary-eyed!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like just yesterday we were in the NICU, saying hi to two tiny, wrinkly little babies. They've grown so much and you and Brandon are amazing parents! Liam and Finn are lucky to be loved by so many wonderful people.