Another inspiring story (just in time for Christmas!)

From Grandma, not from Castine:

Erika gave me permission to share this story. My dear friend, Danielle, wrote about her daughter, Erryn, and new granddaughter, in her Christmas letter. It is amazingly similar to Sarah's story. I have been trying to say how I feel since Sarah was born, but have never found the words. Danielle is so poetic and eloquent in her writing. I am sharing her story with everyone involved in Sarah's life in an effort to say how deeply moved I am, not just by Sarah, but especially by Roger and Erika, and everyone caring (and praying) for them.

These are parts of Danielle's note:
On September 11th, at 28 weeks, 2 days, Erryn had a beautiful baby girl.. very small (19 ounces, 11 3/4 inch). There have been few moments of elation quite like hers. And a new journey began. Miss Winnifred Mae was named for her two grandmothers, and nicknamed Mini Winnie. For 87 days, my darling girl sat with her, reading to her, taking notes, reading and tabbing her huge book on Preemies. I would sit, knit and watch, all the time wondering about the outcome. Winnie is a fighter. Never has so large a persona been asked to inhabit such a small suit. But she did. Through pneumonia, and having a fragile leg broken, heart rate drops, apnea and transfusions, Winnie perservered. She was the darling of the NICU with nurses battling to care for her, and equally loving her ever-vigilant mother. This story is one of the tireless mother who stands bedside with a sick child and wills them to live. During the roughest of times I would watch Erryn stroke the tiny head of her daughter and say, "Be strong, Winnie, it's not forever, it's just for now." .... Miracles do happen.

"A child was born; a child lived and will thrive, a simple story. But, for all of us, it was filled with angels and heroic gestures so small as to nearly be missed except with the vision of a waiting heart. There is no love greater than that of a mother; a hero quite as grand as a doctor and a nurse; a father whose love builds a support. And I think it sounds like the first Christmas... at least for me." Danielle

And may I say, my feelings exactly! Thank you for taking a moment to allow me to say how deeply moved I am by Erika and Roger's courage and strength, for the flawless symphony of care performed by the NICU staff, and for the unending prayers of family and friends.

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, and Happy New Year to all!

Grandma Carol