Charlotte's Journey: Thankful

Friday, November 30, 2012

Thankful

Thanksgiving

a time to reflect what one is thankful for. I am Thankful for so many things,

but this Thanksgiving I am Thankful for the opportunity the Lord has

given me in crossing my path with Josh & Ashley Bradley.

Unknowingly we were chosen to be parents to children with a Congenital Heart Defect.

Not something that we would have chosen on our own, but chosen by God.

God has a plan, a plan only He understands........

Kirby Faith Bradley

was born April 10th, 2012

and spent every day of her life at MUSC fighting for her life.

I really didn't know Kirby,

or her parents Josh and Ashley very well, but I knew them.

When you are apart of a "family" like ours,

you reach out. You reach out to those you hardly know, because

we are all associated by someone

that knows someone that knows someone, that knows you.

I met the Bradley's back in May

when we went to Charleston for Charlotte's surgery.

Charlotte was in the bed right at the entrance to the unit,

so every time Ashley and Josh came to visit Kirby,

we would always chat for a few minutes,

catching up while they washed their hands.

After Charlotte was moved to 8D, I didn't get to see them anymore,

but they stayed in my heart and prayers as the days and weeks passed by.

I would send Ashley a message or two on her blog,

but I never really kept in touch

because I knew how busy she was trying to get Kirby home.

I knew that once they got home, which is about 10 minutes up the road from us,

I could hopefully visit and stay in touch.

I NEVER once thought that Kirby would never come home.

I was heart broken, I was devastated

when I got the news that Kirby had passed.

I immediately called Brian and broke the news to him, he cried, we cried.

It was close to home for us. I don't mean distance, I mean it could have been us.

Kirby was someone we had come to know, and talked about daily.

I would read Ashley's blog to keep updated on how things were going

and Brian and I would pray so hard that this little miracle would make it home.

Kirby had been through so much and had made it through so much......

She was a fighter!!!

Kirby Passed away November 11th.

She was 7 months and 1 day old.

I went to see Ashley after they had made it home from Charleston,

she told me that she knew God had a plan,

that He had a reason for taking Kirby home.

It was a blessing to be with Ashley,

she was such an encouragement.

Ashley showed how strong she was in her faith!!!

I was an emotional wreck, I felt terrible for being an emotional wreck.

I had come to comfort Ashley, but she was the one comforting me!

I can't imagine the pain, the emptiness, the loss that they are feeling.

All I could do was hug Ashley and tell her how sorry I was and I loved them.

After seeing how Josh and Ashley have leaned on the Lord for help and support,

it makes me THANKFUL for friends like them.

Makes me THANKFUL for knowing GOD,

knowing He is helping them through the most difficult time in their lives.

Makes me THANKFUL for my husband, that we are on this journey together.

Makes me THANKFUL for Charlotte,

blonde hair, brown eyes, loud about

everything and into everything.

After realizing just how fragile

life is and how close we came to not having her

makes me even more

THANKFUL to have her.

Our lives are definitely MORE with her in it!!!

2 comments:

JenniferDecember 4, 2012 at 6:48 PM
I'm not on the "inside" of the heart community, but as an "outsider" I agree 110%--- and YOU and so many other heart families who faithfully and couragiously live everyday with HOPE have helped me be more thankful for all God's blessings-- even the ones that come through raindrops and tears.
All that to say, I am thankful for YOU too. :)
In HIM,
Jennifer Scruggs
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AnonymousDecember 4, 2012 at 8:17 PM
Well said and beautifully written my friend. I am speechless.

Love you
Tina
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Heart Poem

It's a beautiful day up in heaven. Jesus is rounding up his tiniest angels, to go live on earth, and be born. One of the sweetest angels says to Jesus "I don't want to leave, I like it here, and I will miss you". He reassures the scared little angel that everything will be okay, and that he is just going for a visit. He is still not swayed on this idea. So Jesus kneels down, and says, "How about if you leave half of your heart here with me and take the other half with you, will that be okay?" The angel smiles and says, "I guess that will work". But the little angel is still a little scared. He asks,"Will I be okay with only half of my heart?" Jesus replies,"Of course you will, I have other angels there that will help out, and you will be fine." Then Jesus gives the angel more details about his plan. He says "When you are born, your mommy will be scared, so you have to be strong, and when you feel weak just remember that I have the other half of your heart". "Enjoy your time with your family, play and laugh everyday." "And when its time to come back to heaven, I will make your heart whole again. Always remember that you are not broken, just torn between two loves."

THE CHOSEN MOTHERS BY ERMA BOMBECK

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure, and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothes of children with life threatening illnesses 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 make notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrog, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy." "Exactly" smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it." "I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she believes in you. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps- "Selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't seperate herself from the child occasionally. she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted, She will never consider a single step ordinary. 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 if she is here by My side." "And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel. His pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."