I just want to take some time to express how thankful I am to each and every single one of you who have stood by our side these past two years. We have been so extremely blessed with the most wonderful family and friends and most of all people we don’t even know.
When you go through some of the most traumatic times of your life you don’t get much time to think of the people who have come to support you. I have been thinking a lot recently about the past two years and how many amazing people have stepped out of the woodwork that you would never imagine. You don’t realize the impact you have on somebody until they are willing to do anything for you.
God sends the perfect people at the perfect times to get you through at that very moment. Starting with the NICU doctors that were there for Aubrey the minute she got out of the ambulance. My husband said there were about 12 doctors standing at the door waiting for her to arrive. Then the nurse that God sent to help me overcome my fears. If you’re reading this, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I would have never been able to gain the confidence to care for Aubrey without your confidence in me, understanding and little nudges here and there to push me past my comfort zone. To every single person who took time out of their day to come and visit us. The NICU staff said that they thought we had the record for the most amount of visitors. Most of you came from farther away, we can’t tell you enough how much it meant to us that you came to meet baby Aubrey, and some of you didn’t even care if you went to see her you just wanted to be there for us. To our dear friend that dropped everything the minute you heard Aubrey was headed to the children’s hospital and that Kyle would be there without me for a couple days. Yet you respected us so much that you wouldn’t even go meet sweet Aubrey until I was able to first. You, sir, I will forever be grateful for you.
The days after we got home from the hospital were an absolute whirlwind. From getting all Aubrey’s equipment set up to remembering to eat and sleep. But we were far from being alone. To those that set up a meal train for us at church and everyone that provided a meal. I don’t know if I would have ever ate during that time had you guys not been there. As the months went by the visitors slowed but the love and prayers have always been there. To those that follow me on social media and constantly were and still are giving me the encouraging words and prayers. You guys may not understand but my love language is words of affirmation, so you really have no idea how much all those words have helped me and are continuing to help me.
And now, now that life has totally flipped one more time God continues to send the most amazing people. To my dear friends that have never left my side, you all mean the world to me. To the same friend that dropped everything the day Aubrey was born, when you once again dropped everything and left work that day she passed to come sit at our home with us, you, my friend mean the world to us. The day after Aubrey went to heaven our friends from Montana picked up everything to come down and stay the week with us. Really? Who does that? I was just speechless when Kyle told me they were coming. I literally cried, I was so overwhelmed to have such loving people in our lives. You guys, your family absolutely amazes me. To the friends that let me rant to them and totally throw up my emotions on them, and just sit and listen, thank you for still being willing to listen to me whenever I need you.
To our church family, we would not be where we are without every single one of you. When Aubrey first went into the hospital we barely knew anybody from the church. But when you sent people to come see us in the hospital I knew we had found our church. It meant the world to us when I received that text from somebody I did not know saying they would be there later that day. And then you came and just listened to my story as we stood there watching sweet Aubrey. Thank you for coming that day. I will forever look up to you. Then families, that barely knew who we were, showed up to our home with hot meals. All of which were so delicious. And to all our dear friends that welcomed us into the church that continue to show us you’ll always be there.
And to my family, you all have been there for us through everything. To my cousin, Jamie you were willing to come into our home and care for Aubrey like she was your own. You listened to us and respected our wishes as her care was ever changing. You were always willing to watch Aubrey when we needed you to. I sure miss seeing you everyday. To my teenage cousin Josh, you accepted Aubrey for who she was. You were never scared to play with her. And you were always willing to jump right in to learn how to care for her. She absolutely adored you. To all my other family, I am so thankful for you all. I told my cousins the other day how much it means to me to drive in someone’s driveway and all you see are In Memory decals on every single car there. It puts the biggest smile on my face knowing that everyone else cares enough to keep my daughters memory alive. To my parents, you guys, I don’t even know what to say. You two have been there through it all. You took care of Aubrey when we just needed some time to relax. You made us go out once in awhile. You were always excited to see our baby girl. All I can say is how much I appreciate you guys. Thank you!
And lastly to my Lord and Savior, thank you for blessing us with the most precious gift anyone could ever ask for. A beautiful baby girl who was absolutely perfect. Thank you for opening my eyes to a whole other world and teaching me to appreciate the little things. Thank you for showing me a love and joy that is unspeakable. Lord, thank you for showing me how strong I can be in the most unthinkable situations. And thank you for always working around me even when I am having trouble seeing. I am in awe of You and cannot wait to see what Your will is.
Traveling through Grief 