3 mo 2 weeks
They just got these darling ballerina tutus in the mail from Grandma's friend Charlene, and they're adorable. They will play with these for years to come, I'm sure. Completely and serenely unaware of the shocking reality of the true meaning of losing everything.
I watched a lot of CNN this week. I've cried more this week than all the long, exhausting nights of my hormone-enduced motherhood. It hit me hard when news reporter Barbara Starr told the story of General Honore walking up to an exhausted young mother of twin infants. She was so tired from walking, coping, and surviving that her babies were practically falling from her arms - her eyes so glazed over, she could hardly notice. Gen. Honore couldn't ignore it and took that mother and her little babies into his convoy so they could get direct care.
That story was upstaged by Oprah's when she showed 29 newborns who were airlifted from the NICU to other hospitals around the country. Their moms could not go with them - there wasn't enough room. I can't imagine the pain and anxiety of those mothers who had to decide to send their kids to "who-knows-where," not knowing when they would see them or how'd they would get there, once they figured out what to new town they were actually sent. Tears fell every 5 minutes, even though all of them survived the trip.
Yesterday, Tina, Ava and I went through their things. Things they'd either outgrown, never used or really would be more comfort to someone else than us. Brand new pink plush puppies - the softest material you've seen - sent by friends in Las Vegas, other stuffed toys, books and blankets. A hand-knit blanket and extra diapers and hair brushes. 3 bags full.
Then, off to my things and Paul's. Another 3 bags full of clothes that are best used by someone in this type of situation. The girls and I drop off the bags at a local baby store who has volunteered to ship them to the shelters. A whole room full of carefully marked and boxed items with UPS stickers, waiting to be picked up and sent to Houston. I ask if they need voluteers to help package and organize the donations, which are flowing toward the door.
The girls and I will bring our Pack n' Play here tomorrow and help during nap time. With my hands tied up in other responsibilities, like caring for these new little ones, it is one thing I know that we can do. And, every little thing, thought and prayer will help. God bless them all.
