Five Years Again

I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined that the greatest most difficult anguish I would ever endure, would link my soul with another mother, a country away, whose heart was being torn in all the same ways.

I couldn't have foreseen that the bitterest hurt would breathe life to the sweetest connection.

But it did.

Five years ago a beautiful baby boy was born into the arms and hearts of a family still mourning from a fresh heartbreak. He was loved. He was cherished...and he died. His precious life is marked with just one date.

December 19th, 2007

In the months leading up to his birth, and the five short and oh-so-long years since, I have been so privileged to meet, befriend, and love his mother and his family. To count them as mine, just as I know they count me as theirs.

Our friendship was born in the mire and has emerged so beautiful as to honour our babies we held for far to short a time.

Today I am carrying Nathan in my heart and aching for my sweet Eden, but I am grateful...so grateful...for this gift.