01/17/2019
:::FAMILY:::
If I have learned anything from 2019 so far, it is to appreciate and be grateful for the health and love of family, because in an instant it can all be gone.
The truth is, we are all just one emergency phone call away from our lives changing forever.
Around Christmas, my dad had emergency heart surgery. His 95% blockage wasn’t showing up on tests, and we could’ve lost him suddenly and without warning at any time. I’m so grateful for our incredible doctor (and friend) that trusted her gut and not just test results, and for my stepmom for taking such great care of my papa. The reality of almost losing him nearly crushed me.
Not to be outdone, my brother & sister in law upped the ante and said “I see your emergency heart surgery dad and raise you one emergency labor/delivery several months ahead of schedule!”
My brother and SIL have been preparing for their 1st baby’s birth in March. But, my nephew had other plans and arrived 10 weeks early! We are so grateful that little-man is adapting well to life outside the womb so far.
As soon as I learned the doctors couldn’t stop labor, I was on the first plane to Seattle. My mom drove up from Portland, and scooped me up at the airport.
I’ve had the honor of volunteering in the NICU with for over 10 years, and knew I needed to be by my brother’s side through this.
There’s something about the overwhelming need to rally and be near family in times like these- even when there’s not anything you can do to change the circumstances.
I am so grateful to have been able to document the first time they held their son, and capture the beginning of their NICU journey. My nephew has a fight ahead, but he’s strong, healthy and feisty.
Watching my brother become a dad is a feeling words cannot describe.
I’ve been immersed in setting up the baby’s nursery with my mom, rounds of NICU visits, and sharing the laughter, tears and hugs with family. It has been beyond priceless.
Only mom/dad get to hold baby once a day for now, so my first auntie-snuggles will have to wait for a bit.
I was thrilled to give him his first foot massage today while he soaked up the UV rays from the bilirubin lights. He’s teeny, but I know he’s a fighter.
I’m forever grateful for my clients’ patience, as I put work on hold during all of this, and for my incredible husband who is wrangling our 3 little munchkins solo.
2019- you have my attention. Family is everything, and I refuse to take mine for granted.
Pause. Appreciate. Love. Capture. Live.
