Coming Home

Dear Elise,
We came home from the hospital on Sunday, September 11, 2011. September 11 is such a horrible day in our nation's history that I am kind of glad this was the day we got to bring you home. That something good could happen on this day. On the 10th anniversary of a day that so many people lost their lives, we got to bring our little miracle home to start our new lives.


D came to the hospital to help us get ready and load the car. Back in August I sorted through his basement and found the dress that I came home from the hospital in. So we changed you into that and headed out. They didn't give us an instruction manual for you, no checklist or reminders. That was surreal. We sat in the car, just the three of us and took a breath. Then we headed home. MeMe was already at our house cooking us lunch which was wonderful. 


You had lots of visitors that day. When everyone left that afternoon, your dad and I just kept looking at each other like "what now?" All three of us piled up in our bed and rested. I didn't nap because I was a nervous wreck and I wasn't going to fall asleep with you in our bed. But you and your dad snoozed away. I will forever treasure those few minutes with the two most important people in my life. In that moment, I had everything that mattered to me in my arms and I was so content. Sure I was tired and worried and everything else a new mom is, but the joy of that moment will be with me forever. It was pure happiness. 


Life goes on, my dear. That's today's lesson. Even though tragedy strikes, if the Lord still has you on this planet, He has a plan for you, He needs you. So dig your heels in and be used. Be the person He wants you to be. And cherish those most important to you while they are here. Embrace true joy which only comes from God.