not to us

One year ago, I was having an *excellent* day.  Burke had weaned down on his oxygen, and, after two and a half days of not being able to hold my son, I was getting ready to hold him for the second time in his life!  I was over the moon.  Even though I was being discharged, I had peace.

Today, there is another mommy who is sitting in a NICU with her three day old son, Donovan.  He was due on Nov. 23rd (just two days after Burke's due date), and he was born on Tuesday, September 29th (Burke's birthday.)  He was delivered by cesarean section after they discovered that his heartrate had fallen to a fatally slow rate.  (Sound familiar?)

He was born at 11:49 a.m. (an hour before Burke's birth-time), and he weighed 4lb. 2 oz. (7 oz. smaller than Burke).

It's eerie to see the similarities.

Missy, Donovan's mommy, is a family friend of the Goodwins.  Mike's parents and Missy's parents have been friends for a very long time...I believe since high school.  I first met Missy when she was in middle school.  Now, she is a wife and mommy, and she is facing a very rough road ahead.

Donovan is intubated, and Missy isn't able to hold him yet.  I know that pain.  I know exactly what it feels like to see your baby in a plastic box and know that you can't hold him.  I know what it's like to still be in shock that your baby is outside of your belly.  I know the stress of trying to come to grips with your new reality.

And my heart hurts for Missy.  I'm praying that God comforts Missy and leads her through these next few weeks.  I'm praying that God brings Donovan supernatural strength and healing.  I'm praying that this entire experience brings them both closer to God and that they experience his immense love for them during this time.

Will you join me in praying?  This family needs to know they are loved by a great big God who is capable of amazing things.  I appreciate your prayers.  I'll let you know if there's anything else we can do.