April 12th is a day that brings not only joy into my life, but memories of heartache and uncertainty.
You see, five years ago today, the surgeon that was about to bring my granddaughter into the world bluntly said, "She'll die."
When I fist saw her lying on the table, minutes after being freed from what had been her home for less than 26 weeks, I knew she would die.
Barely 2 pounds, and 14 inches long, she was motionless, purple and I felt a fear I'd never before experienced. We couldn't lose another grandchild, my daughter couldn't have another baby die.
But the baby surprised everyone, and not only survived, but thrived.
Today she is five. She is a fighter. She is a survivor. She is the great granddaughter my mother had hoped for, but didn't get to see. Maybe God allows my mom to peer down and witness the child she'd longed for.
Here it is in pictures. The survival of Anna-Grace Elizabeth.
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| My heart stopped |
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| Her daddy's hand |
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| 25 and 5/7 weeks |
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| Nana holding her and her Papa's hand |
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| First day home, being held by my Princess, CoCo |
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| Uncle Michael admiring the Miracle |
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| Jakob holding her for the first time. |
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| Papa and the tiny bottle |
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| Surgery for heart failure at 8 months |
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| Wearing her great grandmother's cow girl boots! |
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| Last week |
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