The Kindness of Strangers

Week 25 and 6 days---and still going strong thanks to the kindess of strangers. We keep looking towards our next goal of 28 weeks and it seems so far away from today. However, when you look back--7 weeks ago seems like an eternity and we were just praying to get where we currently are. We are truly blessed.

When we look back, we see so many acts of kindess from family, friends and from those we have never met. It is the kindess of strangers that is truly amazing gifts from God. Some of these strangers have come into our lives just at the "right time." We know that we have new friends that have already taught us how to be more loving and selfless just as they are.

Though they truly weren't the complete definition of "strangers", our friends, the People's have become just that---good friends that we will have in our lives for as long as they can stand us. They have shown us that miracles do happen as we have learned with their little boy---Miller. (Yes--their little boy was born at 27 weeks and I believe that he went home right before we lost Lawton.) Soon after they learned of our situation--both Danny and Stephanie contacted us to let us know that they were praying for us. Their heartfelt kindness and compassion, as well as their empathy has helped us especially since they had just experienced the stress of what we were facing.

Well, we are happy to report that their Miller is now 11 pounds big and still growing like a champ! We are now thinking that strength, courage and hope must be the "definition" of the name Miller--because we have a great role model in Miller Lee Peoples. We look forward to introducing the boys to each other one day soon (not too soon b/c Miller DeLo still has lots of growing to do.)

As for a true "stranger", by definition, that has reached out to us recently was a girl that has experienced the exact same situation as we are experiencing. Her name is Carol and we will just keep it at that to respect her privacy. Our paths crossed when a friend of ours, Christy, told us about her friend Jessica's sister-in-law who had the same "story" as ours--or so she thought. Christy sent us the link to Carol's blog--and I read it---and sure enough, it was as if we had found a needle in the haystack--her situation was identical to ours with the exception that she was expecting twin girls. Another needle in the haystack--she was 1 of the other 2 women in which Dr.Berry had performed the emergent cerclage on. (I am #3.) I am happy to report that she had her daughter Sophia during week 31 1/2 and Miss Sophia only had to spend 3 1/2 weeks in the hospital. This week, sweet Carol brought her daughter over to our house to meet us. It was an amazing experience to hold little Sophia and feel the renewed hope/strength that bed rest can sap out of you at times. This little girl (and her sweet mom) did so much for our spirits in their short visit. Thank you so much to Carol and Sophia! Today, she is 12 weeks old and weighs a little over 8 pounds. A true miracle!

Other moments of enlightenment and truth came in the from another "stranger" who is Randy from Promiseland Church. I remember Susie, my sister-in-law, telling me that Robin (Susie's sister) was going to send her pastor to come by and see me. Robin had told him about our situation and he wanted to see what he could do to help.

Randy did come by the hospital on the first day and I talked with him briefly. I honestly don’t know what I told him and I can’t tell you what he told me verbatim—but I can tell you that he came at a time when I was at the lowest place I had ever been before in my life. I kept praying to God to ask him for some comfort---and then God sent me Randy who had the most compassionate presence about him. I remember feeling so loved and cared for by someone I had never met before. I remember that he was a beacon of light in a very dark time of my life. I felt comforted that he came by to see me and that he offered his prayers for my babies and me.

I vaguely recall that he did come by again on the day that Lawton was taken from me physically and the same day that God gave Miller the courage and strength to continue the fight. I didn’t see Randy that day because it was too soon after my surgery and I was rather incoherent. However, Randy did speak with my family and said that he was going to continue to keep us in his prayers. Soon after Randy had been there “that day” and after it had registered in my mind that he had been there, I realized that he had shown me the comfort and strength of God’s love through his prayers. I was overwhelmed with this incredible calming feeling in a very volatile situation. I attribute this to many factors but the one underlying factor that has most moved me is the power of prayer—especially from strangers and my new-found friend, Randy.

Soon after my family had met Randy….Susie, my brother and his family went to Promiseland. As they were sitting there, they heard our name being included in the prayer list for that day. My brother quickly called me after church and told me about this. Matt and I were so touched that we were being included in the congregation’s prayers.

Each day since then, we keep hearing about more people praying for us—people we have never met—people who had heard about our need for prayer through their family, friends and the internet. We have been mentioned in several churches on Sundays--which is a true comfort to us. It is amazing to see God’s love in all aspects of life! It is truly one of many miracles we have seen. It is incredible to know that God always loves us and is always with us no matter what we may be facing in life. It is amazing to see the kindess of strangers.

Tomorrow starts Week 26 and we will have our doctors' appointments on Thursday-September 20th. We know that we are going to get some great news about how big Miller is growing! We can't believe that in a few short weeks--10 or a little less--that we are going to hold our Miracle in our arms! All of the prayers of ours, our family, our friends and our new friends who were once "strangers" are going to come true! We are truly, truly blessed in so many ways!

Peace and love to you all!
Dana, Matt and MM