Three Million New Blood Cells
” Have you ever watched them (children) watch? Their mouths may hang open; they’re not, like adults, aware of themselves- they’re only aware of what they’re watching… And your child is in process, as a person. Every eight days he gets a new layer of skin. Every eight years every cell in his body has become new. Look at that child right now: since this time yesterday he has three million new blood cells.” Children are Wet Cement, Anne Ortlund
If the above quote doesn’t stir something inside of you, then my words today may not make sense either.
When it comes to babies and children, I am a firm believer and advocate that every child should be celebrated and should have at least one person that they can feel safe with talking to, or simply being able to rest on their lap, cry and not have to have a reason.
This past weekend I was extremely grateful to be invited to a baby shower for a little girl on the way. I absolutely love celebrating new life and the anticipation and arrival of a little one! This family has walked with my family since I was born, through my adoption of Lucy, and Lucy’s home going. The fact that they didn’t hesitate to call and tell me that this little one was coming, I was overjoyed! The fact that they included me in inviting me to the baby shower to celebrate in the anticipation, priceless!
Let me give you some facts about my heart: Yes, I miss Lucy, but this doesn’t take away my joy for new bundles of joy! Yes, when I see a baby, I really want to hold them and love them and squeeze them until they won’t let me anymore! Yes, it’s not easy to watch others sit and show off pictures of their children and grandchildren, but I know they are doing exactly what I would be doing and I truly want to know and celebrate their children too. Yes, it is hard to not get resentful of nobody saying her name. BUT truly what is the hardest part – not knowing – hearing news through others – not being told, which then leaves my heart broken, because the assumption is that the news or celebration would hurt me. But the hard truth is this hurts and wounds the deepest.
This is my truth. My heart. My story. I don’t speak for all parents who have had children that have ran ahead, but there are most of us that truly still want to celebrate every life!!!
I am a big believer that every parent- mom or dad- who has chosen to carry and give life should be acknowledged and encouraged in their brave choice! This should happen whether they choose to parent long term, or whether they decide that it would be wise to place the child with a family to parent long term. These are all decisions that are brave and take an incredible amount of courage. No matter what – choosing life is the ultimate celebration!
If we could cultivate this as a culture, come together, gather around babies and children, dare I say there could be a revival of the family and church? It has to start in the communities that we live in though. We can’t stay in our safe places. We have to speak, write, reach out, be bold. Dare to be seen as an outlaw, rule-breaker, stinker, spunky…. which leads me to my Lucy love 😊
When I first felt the nudge to adopt, I honestly was ready to jump all in, and I tried! However, I found out quickly how much of a stinker I was going to have to be. I was going to have to rely of Jesus to help me follow his example of being an “outcast.” The word “unusual” was used more than I ever expected. But He called and I was responding. I knew there were women that needed the hope of a life beyond what they could currently give the child they were carrying- for them I pressed on. As I pressed on, prayed, and waited, I searched for a name. I wanted to start praying for my girl by name. I chose Lucy, lighthearted and full of laughter, perfect fit. She continues to keep me lighthearted and indeed full of laughter! Talk about watching, babies are so intrigued with every little thing! I am convinced that Lucy never missed a forest animal that crossed her line of vision! Pure wonder!
The quilts in the above picture were made and given to me by my parents after she ran ahead to Jesus. To some it may seem like a lot for 6 months of life, however, every block has a story and a memory.
The quilt on the left is a collection of: her coming home outfit and hat, her snuggly jammies and gowns purchased for her over the five years of waiting, her bath robe that she loved and would wear for hours after bath, her bonnet that I bought for her within the first year I was waiting, her duck outfit that I loved on her and kept putting on her until the snaps popped!, her t-shirt gowns that tied at the bottom and that Swing (my mom) loved to knot tight so she would become a little butterball 😊and of course, I called all the children I kept silly goose- so she HAD to have the Silly Goose one!
The quilt on the right is a collection of: her “booty drop”(what her cousins call them) pajamas that matched her cousins, multiple matching cousins shirts, her outfit that she wore to her Finalization hearing, outfits that multiple cousins wore, rompers, outfits, shirts purchased and prayed over while waiting, sleep sacks- her favorite!, Easter, Valentines, St. Patricks Day, July 4th, birthday outfits, in the moment splurges outfits. Many, many memories!
These hang in my bedroom now. They are a reminder that she arrived. Made her mark. And continues to make a mark. Everyday I get to wake up and celebrate her life once more! Somedays I cry. Somedays I laugh. Somedays I am numb. Everyday I am grateful, incredibly grateful, because she came and I get to share and celebrate her! And out of that comes even more joy to celebrate all the babies to come! Celebrate the children in the moment! My heart overflows!
Life Book of the Week: Children are Wet Cement, by Anne Ortlund (published in 1981- I had to purchase on Thrift Books)
Quilts – all credit goes to: Campus Quilt – recommend them 1000xs over!!! They also offer to send to the scraps after the quilt is complete – I will share soon what I have done with these! 😊 https://www.campusquilt.com
