SAYING GOODBYE TO LITTLE EMILY

     We have had an emotion-filled, tender, difficult, sad, joyful, sweet 24 hours.  Our 7th little grandchild was born prematurely in the early evening of April 16th (as we all had known was possible).  Becky's pregnancy has been a problem one from the beginning.   Amniotic fluid was very low and without it a baby is cramped and has almost no opportunity for lungs to develop normally.  Becky was at 6 months and was to enter the hospital on the advice of her doctor to be monitored and to remain there until the baby was born.  Infections are very common in pregnancies where there is a tear in the sac which holds the baby.  Becky's case was no exception and she went into labor yesterday afternoon.

     A little girl (we had never known the sex because low fluid also prevents clear ultrasounds) came about 5:45 p.m. and was immediately surrounded by an expert team of doctors and nurses who struggled to help her stay alive.  Lauralyn Emily (named after Charles' sister - but they will call her Emily) was barely 2 pounds.  She was only 13 inches long.   But she was totally formed, lots of hair,  and even had a look about her that was like her brother Ethan's at his birth.

     At Becky and Charles' request the NICU team continued to try all they could do until it just was apparent that even the heroic measures could cause complications more than she already had.  Becky and Charles made the difficult decision to let her "go home."  How grateful Victor and I were to get to share this intense and tender time with our sweet daughter and her husband who showed strength and love and faith during the 6 hour ordeal.   Little Emily received a blessing from her father and grandfather.   They removed all the machines and laid her in Becky's arms where they gave us privacy, unrushed, to be with her.   Becky called us to come in so we could help sing songs to her, which we did with tears flowing freely.  We talked to her and loved her and reassured her....and then did it all over again once we knew she was gone.

     Already it is apparent that her presence and the circumstances of her situation and subsequent death have had an impact on many people.   We are grateful for even the little time we had with her.   I, for one, will wait to see how her heavenly presence will continue to affect all of us who still have to stay here a while.

Those of you who know Charles and Becky well might wish to follow the link on the sidebar of this blog to hear about it in their words.   Goodbye for now, little one. 

Update:  A short service for family & very close friends was held at Palm Mortuary, Friday Apr. 22nd.  at 3:30 in the afternoon.   Beth Hunt, my nephew's wife, made a beautiful little burial dress for Emily.  It is a hard thing to see such a tiny little casket.   The family is doing well even though there are moments each day when a sadness just seems to rest with us briefly.   So many people have lent support.  Thank you everyone.

Charles got to carry Emily out to the infant area of the cemetery.

In the photo below he is talking with Audrey about Emily and the picture they now have in their home.