Eleven years ago today I was in the hospital. Our fifth child, Joanna Kirsten, was born and died two days before this date, and I spent Christmas 1993 in the hospital recovering from a very difficult and scary premature (eight months) birth.
Ten years ago today I was in the hospital again. Brown Bear Daughter was born, safely and easily; Engineer Husband called her our “Return to Flight Baby.” She’s been flying ever since. Of course, she didn’t replace little Joanna, but she did bring a new joy and beauty to our family. We call her Brown Bear Daughter because she was the happy recipient, we theorize, of the Native American genes that come from my mother’s side of the family, brown hair, brown eyes, brown skin. She’s our drama queen, our social butterfly, our curly hair pokey bear.
Happy Birthday, Brown Bear.
See You in Heaven, Joanna Kirsten.
Just found your blog from the list at Mental Multi. What a treasure. Look forward to reading more.
Your words of honor to your children are lovely.
Diane
God bless you on this most bitter-sweet of days.
I too was in the hospital on the 23rd in 1999. Our Katie Gracie arrived after midnight to give her the 24th as her birthday.
I can not imagine the pain of losing a child. May God contiue to comfort you and give you hope.
How bittersweet to remember little Joanna this time of year, but how wonderful that you will see her again, Sherry! Like Donna, I don’t know the pain you experienced, but I know that you will have a special compassion for those who are hurting. Have a wonderful time with your family, celebrating our Savior’s birth, and Brown Bear’s, too.
I admire your husband’s optimism and your strength! Thanks for sharing that story with us, and Merry Christmas.