The little engine that could

About a week after Jason and I announced we were expecting we found out some friends of ours were also expecting and were due just a week after us!  We emailed, texted, talked on the phone to share pregnancy updates and we even discussed renting a house for a destination wedding we were to attend for mutual friends on February 21st.   Our expecting friends never made it to the wedding.  On February 7th,  Avery Shaw Richter arrived at only 27 weeks and weighed only 2lbs 7oz.   For 115 days Shaw was in the hospital with circumstances beyond words.  Shaw endured spinal taps, brain surgeries and more.  He and his parents, Candace and Michael, fought for his life, prayed and never gave up.  On May 21st,  miracle warrior little Shaw was released to go home.   He still has a long road ahead, and we keep Shaw in our prayers.

They too updated their friends and family through a blog that Jason and I followed.   This past Saturday night, Michael was in town for the night and we gathered together with friends to visit.  Michael handed us a little gift from their family to ours.  Jason and I were speechless and still are so moved.  Here is what their letter said:

Jason, Juliet and Sweet Little Lu,

Not by choice, but our little ones are kindred spirits...logging hospital time, alarms, monitors, wires and countless prayers.  Their paths and destinations are not known, but both babes are cradled in an infinite amount of love and support.  

From Shaw to Lu, we give you our most precious gift...Nash's (Nash is their 2 year old son) choo-choo train.  While small and insignificant to most, each one of us have clung to this train in prayer during many dark days. Nash brought it to Mommy in the hospital and Mommy clung to it on scary days and lonely nights as she longed for home and for a healthy delivery.  Daddy held it in his hand during Shaw's delivery- and for 115 days, it rest in the crib of Shaw until he was healthy enough to come home.  Along the way, Elyse sent an angel that we included on our train.  After, we referred to Shaw as 'our little engine that could'.  

And so we pass it on to Lu. It is 'on loan' from a special place in Shaw's nursery to guide through dark days and offer a reminder that you remain in our prayers.  You have such a beautiful family.  We love all 3 of you.  

Candace, Michael Nash and Shaw.

Thank you Candace and Michael for being the friends you are and have been.  Thank you for loaning us your most precious gift-we know it truly is.  It now sits in Lu's crib and though it is so tiny, we know how much love, tears, fear, prayers, energy and hope it carries.  We love your beautiful family too, so much.

Thank you to Anna again for your great visit- she's leaving today to drive cross country to her parents in Cincinnati.  Lucia had a good week - continued physical and occupational therapy-working on trunk and neck strength to help develop her muscle tone..and yesterday we saw her GI doctor and we'll be increasing her daytime feeding amounts via her button and eventually cutting out her continuous night time feed.  Her g-tube/button is healing great and I think she's even starting to guard it with her tiny little hand- so cute.

Much love,

Juliet, Jason and smiley little Lu