Let Us Never Take Them For Granted

by Crystal Paine

It is so easy to take our children for granted, especially when you are having a hard day or when the same child has made the same mess for the sixth time in 30 minutes.

But please take a moment to read this beautiful tribute to Sarah written by my friend Kim. Maybe the messes will seem a little less significant in light of what she wrote. Kim's story really struck a chord with me as our family has a very similar story.

Over ten years ago, I was a young girl anxious and eager to be a big sister again. I had prayed for what seemed like a very long time for a baby sister and, after my mom had two miscarriages, I finally had hope when my mom had almost reached her third trimester that my prayers were being answered.

Instead, one morning when she was 27 weeks along, my mom woke up feeling that something was not right with her pregnancy. She had the midwife come and they were able to get a heartbeat, but the baby was not moving much. The doctors were not too concerned, but my mom knew something wasn't right and wanted to have a sonogram. When they went in for a sonogram the next day, Hillary's heart was no longer beating. My parents opted to wait for labor to naturally start, so we spent the next 6 weeks (until my mom went into labor) preparing for her burial, instead of her birth.

As an 11-year-old girl, grappling with this loss was very hard for me. I couldn't believe that the once kicking and squirming little baby in my mother's womb was now lifeless. There would be no baby showers or baby clothes to wash. There would be no need for a bassinet, no need for baby diapers, no need for any of the usual baby preparations. Instead, there was a handmade wooden coffin, one lone preemie baby dress, a blanket to wrap a limp body in, and a wee pair of baby booties I had crocheted.

I still remember so vividly waking up that morning and knowing my mom was in labor. It was so quiet, too quiet. No anxious anticipation of whether it was a boy or girl. No wondering how long until we would meet our new family member. Instead, there was stillness. And, after the stillness, I recall so well hearing my dad hammering the nails into the little coffin he had made for her and the painful realization that I would never get to know my baby sister.

But, in the midst of this loss and emptiness, there was peace. The Lord wrapped His loving arms of comfort around us and showered His love upon us through so many other people. There were also many lessons for me to learn -- the most important of which was that you should never take those closest to you for granted.

I was working in the kitchen this morning and Kathrynne kept standing right next to me tugging on my skirt. I could hardly walk without tripping us both over and for a little while I was wishing she would just go sit a few feet away, play with her toys, and give me some "space." Then, I realized how selfish that was of me. I am blessed with a precious, beautiful baby girl who wants to stand right next to her mama and "help" her work in the kitchen. Why should I ever wish for a few feet of "space" when so many would love to have a little daughter pulling at their skirt and they are unable to have children or their precious child they had was taken from them at a young age?

Let us remember never to take our little ones for granted.

Crystal Paine is a 24-year-old homeschool graduate from Topeka, Kansas. She is the blessed wife of Jesse and joyful mother of Kathrynne. Visit her site, Biblical Womanhood, for books, articles, encouragement, and inspiration!

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