In memory of an angel face I never met

Today, my heart is breaking for a family I've never met. A family I stumbled across by accident on Facebook. This day is nothing short of painful for them as it's their precious daughter's third birthday. Ann Reese Grote died Christmas Eve, just 18 days before her baby sister entered this world. And my heart aches. 

I have lost a sweet baby in my belly..and it was hard.  Really hard. But I never held it in my arms. I never soothed it as it cried. I never knew a part of me with its own personality. But Davey and Amy Grote did. They knew their sweet girl and loved her. She was taken suddenly by what was nothing short of a freak accident, and my heart aches for them. It's really  strange to me how believers come together for people they don't know, a common bond I guess. I have been praying for this family as they simultaneously grieve their loss and welcome a new baby at the same time. 

Reading about this family has left me with a twinge of pain, and guilt. I have a boy who is healthy and living and who is so often taken for granted. He's loved to the max all the time but sometimes it is hard not to lose my mind when he's running in my kitchen opening then slamming shut every drawer he can get to before I spank his rear. 

So today, in honor of beautiful Ann Reese, I chose and still choose to revel in my child. I choose to laugh with him as he runs and laughs and fake screams like he's afraid of the vacuum. I choose to be patient when he wants me to fix the straw he just pulled out of his capri sun for the fifteenth time. I choose to study his face while he builds blocks. I choose to cheer him on as he shoots basketballs and wrestlers and blocks and a sippy cup through the hoop. And now I choose to go love on him extra now that he's waking from his nap. 

I'll spank him tomorrow. 

Revel in your kids today, you never know when all you'll have are memories of stepping on legos in the floor. 

And pray for the family eating pancakes today remembering the only two birthdays they got to spend with their girl.