When my children were younger I was in a MOPS group, which stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. A prayer request was sent out for a mom who was expecting her third child and there were some very serious health concerns. She was on bed rest and the news did not look good for her baby.
I did not know her at all, but there was something pressing about her prayer request. I emailed her directly and told her my first born child spent many days in the NICU. This turned into an email dialogue back and forth. The emails helped support her during a difficult time and what began as a way to encourage and love on her totally ended up blessing my heart.
When her baby was born, she invited our family to come meet her and her newborn baby. It was an honor to meet her and also meet her son who was in the NICU. We forged a bond that day.
Two NICU moms standing side by side.
My son graduated from the NICU and was a thriving five year old who provided tangible hope for her that her son would get a chance to graduate from the NICU also.
Little did I know that my son’s birth would impact another mother all these years later.
Five years earlier I gave birth and was discharged from the hospital, but my son was still in the NICU in a separate hospital that was way too far away from our home. My emotions were all out of whack with everything going on and when I was being wheeled out of the hospital room, a very wise nurse grabbed a stuffed animal that was a gift to my newborn son and handed it to me. She said words that brought me to tears. “You are not leaving this hospital empty handed.” I had fully expected to leave the hospital holding my newborn but that dream was not going to be a reality. That stuffed animal went with me everywhere I went until I was able to bring my baby home from the NICU.
Now my friend was going through something very similar. On our way to the hospital our family stopped and bought her a stuffed animal that my older son picked out. We gave it to her and told her our story. Even though she was discharged from the hospital before her son was, she did not leave empty handed. She was wheeled out with the stuffed animal in her arms. He became a “member” of their family and still is today, even now over three years later.
She was loved during one of the most difficult times in her life at a point when she needed it most. God was able to place me in her life during this time to love on her and help her.
People have been placed in your life too. We never know when the opportunity will arise to be a giver. God asks you to be obedient and heed his call to help one of His children. When you are given the chance to pour blessings into the life of another, you walk away far more blessed. Funny how that happens.
Today I get to be the giver.
I found something that goes perfectly with 31 Days to Feeling Loved. I purchased a bracelet that says I am loved and am honored to be hosting my very first giveaway totally sponsored by me. Enter below using the Rafflecopter widget to win your very own I am loved bracelet from Helzberg Diamonds. Photos by Helzberg Diamonds.
Day 26 of 31 Days to Feeling Loved
87 comments
2 pings
Jen Shirley
November 10, 2011 at 8:33 pm (UTC -7)
I am loved! What a wonderful blog and giveaway! God Bless….Jen Shirley
Wendy
November 15, 2011 at 8:46 pm (UTC -7)
Jen ~ Thank you! So glad you are loved! The bracelet will look so beautiful on the winner! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..Epilogue | 31 Days to Feeling Loved
Elliot
November 11, 2011 at 1:17 am (UTC -7)
Thank you for reminding me I Am LOVED!
Elliot recently posted..EllieSewSweet is Going to The Glitter Academy!
Wendy
November 11, 2011 at 10:42 pm (UTC -7)
Ellie ~ Yes, you are loved! So glad to know you! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..Epilogue | 31 Days to Feeling Loved
♡♥♬ Louis ♡♥♬
November 11, 2011 at 2:57 am (UTC -7)
I am Loved!
Thank you for sharing your story
Wendy
November 11, 2011 at 10:42 pm (UTC -7)
Louis ~ You are welcome! So glad you are loved! Good luck on the giveaway! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..It was inevitable. Explaining cancer to my children.
Freda Taylor
November 11, 2011 at 6:19 am (UTC -7)
I AM LOVED!
Wendy
November 11, 2011 at 10:43 pm (UTC -7)
Freda ~ You are loved! Good luck on the giveaway! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..Foto Friday | 11.11.11
1955nurse
November 11, 2011 at 11:10 am (UTC -7)
Thanks for sharing that beautiful story… we never know WHY things are happening a certain way when we are in the middle of a crisis, but usually there comes an opportunity to share our strength w/someone who is also going thru the same ordeal @ a later date! I am loved… and you are , too!!!
Wendy
November 15, 2011 at 8:38 pm (UTC -7)
1955nurse ~ Yes, in the middle of the crisis it is so hard to see the other side. So glad you are loved! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..What defines a marriage?
Brandy Nelson
November 11, 2011 at 11:19 am (UTC -7)
I am loved! Thanks so much for the chance!
Brandy Nelson recently posted..Silly Little Man!
Wendy
November 15, 2011 at 8:38 pm (UTC -7)
Brandy ~ You are welcome! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..Foto Friday | 11.11.11
Renee Richardson
November 11, 2011 at 11:47 am (UTC -7)
I am Loved! How beautiful!!!
Thanks for the wonderful post
Renee
fattybumpkins at yahoo dot com
Wendy
November 15, 2011 at 8:39 pm (UTC -7)
Renee ~ You are welcome! So glad you entered! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..Epilogue | 31 Days to Feeling Loved
Casey Wright
November 11, 2011 at 11:52 am (UTC -7)
I AM LOVED.
Wendy
November 15, 2011 at 8:39 pm (UTC -7)
Casey ~ Yes, you are loved! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..It was inevitable. Explaining cancer to my children.
Jillian Wade
November 11, 2011 at 12:10 pm (UTC -7)
I am loved! What a wonderful message and giveaway!
Wendy
November 15, 2011 at 8:40 pm (UTC -7)
Jillian ~ Thank you! So glad you are loved! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..Paralyzed by the fear of asking
Teresha
November 11, 2011 at 12:48 pm (UTC -7)
I AM LOVED!
Teresha recently posted..Green Christmas Giveaway Blog Hop: Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffers-US
Wendy
November 15, 2011 at 8:41 pm (UTC -7)
Teresha ~ Thank you for entering! ~ Wendy
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liliana
November 11, 2011 at 3:43 pm (UTC -7)
beautiful!
Wendy
November 15, 2011 at 8:41 pm (UTC -7)
Liliana ~ Thank you! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..Join Team Emery! Donate a Bear
Jamie Brigham
November 11, 2011 at 9:50 pm (UTC -7)
I Am Loved! Thank God for my hubby,children, friends and family
Wendy
November 15, 2011 at 8:43 pm (UTC -7)
Jamie ~ You are blessed! ~ Wendy
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Rosemary Hernandez
November 12, 2011 at 6:49 am (UTC -7)
I AM loved! Thanks for a great giveaway.
Wendy
November 15, 2011 at 8:44 pm (UTC -7)
Rosemary ~ You are welcome! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..Join Team Emery! Donate a Bear
Julia
November 12, 2011 at 8:24 am (UTC -7)
Thanks for sharing.
Wendy
November 15, 2011 at 8:44 pm (UTC -7)
Julia ~ So glad you entered! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..Foto Friday | 11.4.11
lori alcorn
November 12, 2011 at 11:38 am (UTC -7)
I am Loved Thanks for the awesome giveaway
lori alcorn recently posted..Torani Coffee and beverage syrup Review
Wendy
November 15, 2011 at 8:44 pm (UTC -7)
Lori ~ You are welcome! So glad you are loved! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..Foto Friday | 11.11.11
Geri S
November 13, 2011 at 7:04 pm (UTC -7)
“I Am Loved!”
Wendy
November 15, 2011 at 8:45 pm (UTC -7)
Geri ~ Glad you entered! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..Paralyzed by the fear of asking
Cathy Wallace
November 14, 2011 at 8:56 am (UTC -7)
“I Am Loved!”
Wendy
November 15, 2011 at 8:46 pm (UTC -7)
Cathy ~ You are loved! ~ Wendy
Wendy recently posted..Foto Friday | 11.11.11
Christina G
November 18, 2011 at 3:39 pm (UTC -7)
This is such a heart-warming giveaway. I am loved describes perfect happiness ♥♡♥♡
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