Counting My Blessings

The last few days have been self-reflecting. You see a very good friend of Cathy and I's is showing true Grace through a very difficult time. I for one have hugged Benjamin more often because of what Sylvie is enduring and have felt blessed for having a child as I do.

Sylvie is one of those people who is such a beacon in this world. You probably know the type. She is one of the most optimistic persons you know. Sylvie is a sorority sister of Cathy's and I shot her wedding a few years ago.

When she told us that she was pregnant last Fall we were so happy for her as we knew she would be a great mother. She was so looking forward to seeing her baby girl.

When Sydney was born March 14th she was 7 lbs. 7 oz., 20.5" long. The doctors at first didn't know what was wrong with her right lung and how it was effecting her heart. Eventually they found out that she suffered from Scimitar Syndrome which effects these organs.

I'm by no means smart enough in this area to break it down into laymen's terms but to put it simply Sydney had a lot of obstacles from the start. The doctors said that she faced some serious corrective procedures. Some surgeries would take place in the first months of her life and continue well into her childhood.

Cathy and I have kept up with Sydney's progress be reading Sylvie's journal on Caring Bridge. It seemed that with every step forward there were two steps back. Then came Saturday's entry.

In Sylvie's entry she informed us, "On Monday, the doctors indicated that Sydney is having multiple organ/system failures. It breaks my heart to tell you all that she will not ultimately survive. There is nothing the medical team can do for her except offer comfort, dignity and loving care. Yesterday we had a care conference with her doctors and nurses where we decided the goal of her care is to keep her comfortable."

After reading this I wanted to hold my son in my arms and thank God for the blessings he has given me. Sylvie deserves nothing more than to care for her child like most of us do everyday. She wants to provide for Sydney. To change those diapers and rock her little girl to sleep in the middle of the night.

Cathy and I have talked several time over the last couple of days about this. Words can't describe what we feel for Sylvie nor can they come close to what our dear friend is enduring. As Cathy said to me, "for her to come home and see the nursery that Syndey will never see must be heart-wrenching."

I don't know how I would react if I were in Sylvie's position but I admire her for her strength. As she puts it, "I don't know how much time there is left. My goal is to be with her as much as possible. Family and friends can pray for our family, pray for her comfort. Hope is still around us. It's only changed form. I appreciate all of you going through this journey with Sydney, and I offer my love and compassion for your feelings of sadness and loss. She is a light in all of our lives. No one will forget this precious little girl. Our lives are better because of her. She did have purpose. I will never know how many people prayed for her. How many became closer to God because of her. How many held their own children a few minutes longer each day because of her."