A Lesson in Giving
On this beautiful, crisp December morning, we gathered around our friends to be with them as they buried one of their children. He was an identical twin baby boy born two months ago. He and his brother have not had an easy transition into this thing we call life.
Baby #1 was named Gavin, and baby #2 was named Dylan. Gavin was the smaller and more sick of the two in utero. Dylan was the stronger, bigger baby. Dylan helped support Gavin in his most crucial times. Dylan kept him alive.
When they were born (two months premature) they were both just over a pound each. Gavin thrived in his incubator under the care of NICU specialists. Dylan, however, did not. He had open heart surgery at three weeks of life. From that point on, he struggled to keep his head above water.
Gavin was allowed to go home just last week. He has oxygen 24 hours a day, and is still under strict medical care. His brother's condition continued to worsen.
On Thursday, our friends went to the hospital to hold their baby through his last moments here.
Though this tiny baby boy was alive for only months, he has accomplished more and touched more people than many adults who reach a ripe age. In this Christmas season, while I have been crazed to find the perfect gifts for my kids, family, and friends, I have been given a new lesson in giving.
There are many charities and organizations that need money, please keep this in mind as you enjoy the holidays. If it weren't for the incredible doctors, nurses, staff, and monetary donors of Lehigh Valley Hospital, our friends may not have had the opportunity to bring home either baby. If anyone would like to donate to one of the nation's greatest neonatal intensive care units, please click on the link. Lehigh Valley Hospital
Baby #1 was named Gavin, and baby #2 was named Dylan. Gavin was the smaller and more sick of the two in utero. Dylan was the stronger, bigger baby. Dylan helped support Gavin in his most crucial times. Dylan kept him alive.
When they were born (two months premature) they were both just over a pound each. Gavin thrived in his incubator under the care of NICU specialists. Dylan, however, did not. He had open heart surgery at three weeks of life. From that point on, he struggled to keep his head above water.
Gavin was allowed to go home just last week. He has oxygen 24 hours a day, and is still under strict medical care. His brother's condition continued to worsen.
On Thursday, our friends went to the hospital to hold their baby through his last moments here.
Though this tiny baby boy was alive for only months, he has accomplished more and touched more people than many adults who reach a ripe age. In this Christmas season, while I have been crazed to find the perfect gifts for my kids, family, and friends, I have been given a new lesson in giving.
There are many charities and organizations that need money, please keep this in mind as you enjoy the holidays. If it weren't for the incredible doctors, nurses, staff, and monetary donors of Lehigh Valley Hospital, our friends may not have had the opportunity to bring home either baby. If anyone would like to donate to one of the nation's greatest neonatal intensive care units, please click on the link. Lehigh Valley Hospital
Labels: MDM
posted by Sarah at
Saturday, December 03, 2005
3 Comments:
Oddly enough, I just finished watching "Grey's Anatomy", in which quintuplets were born prematurely and struggling to stay alive.
My condolances, Sarah...what a difficult time this must be for your friends.
i love you.
every once in a while life sends along one of these reminders to recalibrate our lives and stop us worrying unduly about the small stuff .
I hope Gavin grows up healthy . He's already going to grow up special .
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