Yesterday, I accidentally clicked on Kayleigh’s blog and saw a post about her final moments. I haven’t been following the story…or really, any of the stories where there is a sick baby. It’s not that I’m cold, it’s simply that my heart can’t take it. Empathy for me can be both a curse and a blessing.
This one post caused my tears to fall uncontrollably, and I was useless the rest of the day. Every time I thought of that sweet baby and all that her parents went through and endured….my heart would ache all over again. And the tears would begin to flow yet again.
When I went in to get Chloe up from her nap a little later, my eyes watered just seeing her smile. Suddenly, I could see Kayleigh in her. I could never imagine losing such a precious baby girl. My sweet loving happy baby girl. I picked her up quickly and held her tight.
As I was crying later that night talking with Jimmy, I searched for meaning in this. Why would God bring a baby to life only to take them such a short time later? Why would he allow their parents to feel a pain worse than any other?
Where is the lesson?
If Kayleigh’s story taught me anything, it’s that I need to appreciate each and every moment with my babies.
Tomorrow, I will wrap my arms around them and inhale their sweet smell, and never for a moment allow them to forget just how much I adore them.
Tomorrow, I will not complain about how hard it is being a mother. I will not wish I wasn’t home with them every minute of the day. I will not hope for them to be silent.
Tomorrow, I will be thankful. I will appreciate. I will love. I will take in each and every incredible breathing moment with them.
And then I will continue to do the same the tomorrow after that, and the tomorrow after that…and then every tomorrow that follows in which God continues to bless me with such goodness.
Because of Kayleigh, in honor of such a sweet girl and a sweet family, my tomorrow’s will absolutely be lived differently.
These babies, this laughter, this moment….
That is my heart, my soul, my every emotion…all wrapped up into two tiny sweet little beings.
They are my tomorrow’s.
© 2009 “Le Musings of Moi”
SHARE THIS POST
I truly loved this post. I feel the same way. It is so hard for me to read those blogs – my heart just aches too much. I pray for the families without knowing the whole story.
I don’t know the why’s so I just have to appreciate what I have everyday!
What a beautiful post about such a beautiful little girl.
After crying all over again over Kayleigh, and crying because you were also crying… I laughed my booty off at Chloe! Ugh, thank goodness that’s how you ended this post. I needed it. Ugh, I just want to squeeze her.
P.S. Her laugh sounds just like Taylor’s! I don’t think I would’ve known it were her if I didn’t see it!
I haven’t dug into Kayleigh’s story either, it’s too heart wrenching for me as well. I like happy endings but my heart goes out to her family.
This is a beautiful post and you have beautiful children! Thanks for sharing such a fun moment.
Your post and Kayleigh’s story have me in shivers and with tears in my eyes this morning. Thank you for writing this post!
great post. i didn’t follow kayleigh’s story, but i wouldn’t have been able to take it. i think i’m going to run upstairs and give my little guy a kiss now.
great post. thank you for the video. i visited Kayleigh’s blog last week and read her story. i also watched her parents on The Doctors yesterday. what an inspirational story, and a great lesson for all of us to learn. i too cried and embraced my son, i’m so grateful. i am a very lucky wife and mother. take care.
-Kiki
I am the same way. I avoid those stories because I know I will be a mess afterwards.
hugs!
Love the post! Oh, and could your kids be any cuter? I don’t think so 🙂
What a beautiful post, Summer. So, so very true. It breaks my heart in a million pieces every time I read about a baby that has died, or a baby that is sick. It’s completely the most unfair and saddest thing in the world, and I can’t imagine the pain these parents (and others) are feeling and have to live with the rest of their lives.
The lesson is, like you said – appreciate every second we have. Complain less. Just be happy with our children. I had a rough morning with my two boys and I was on the brink of tears but then reading this post puts things back in perspective again. Thanks for this beautiful post.
I think a baby and childs laughter is truly the best sound in the world!
I understand. I cried each time I read Kayleigh’s updates. God bless her family.
Your vlog was perfect. Precious!
Beautifully written. Babies are truly a gift from God.
This is such a good reminder…I can’t read those blogs – I just can’t handle it.
Oh. My. Gosh. What a baby doll!!!! And how totally sweet to honor Kayleigh like that.
I have a video of my son laughing like that and I’m making the same noise. It really makes me nostalgic for those long-ago baby days.
Geez, between the two of us we are just bringing people to their knees giving thanks for our sweet families. 😉
This is awesome Summer…and so true. I haven’t read that much of Kayleigh’s story either because I am still reeling from Tuesday and Cora. That I can be affected in such a way by kids I don’t know…I can’t even IMAGINE what their families are going through.
Great post and my goodness, Chloe is a DOLL!
The sounds of angels. That was so great! Your kiddos are absolutely gorgeous!! I just loved her little laugh as it warmed my heart over and over. I watched it like three times.
Your so right about us needing to make sure that we are thankful for each and every breath that we are given by Him to be here and experience life with our kids. And for each and every breath that they are given as well.
Love and Prayers,
Tim
Cant wait to see what you do next week!
What happened to baby Kayleigh just broke my heart! It does make you drop to your knees and thank the Good Lord up above for happy healthy children…what a blessing! Your children are PRECIOUS! Your baby is so sweet laughing and your little boy is adorable, too! Enjoy every moment, Summer…my oldest daughter will be graduating from high school next year…it goes by fast!
WOW…great post!! I too cried because of Kayleigh…she truly did touch many, many lives!!
And your post reminded me AGAIN about taking my life too seriously…and about how to just cherish my children and not move too fast!!
P.S. Your baby girl is the sweetest little darling ever! Soooo cute!
Oh my, like you…it hurts just to even think about it.
Love the laugh of a baby..thank you.
Your post is just so beautiful. I feel the same way…it’s heartbreaking to know what these families are going through.
Your words really touched my heart. Thank you for sharing your sweet baby’s giggles!
what a perfect tribute. I so know how you feel, it is the same way that I feel when a little child is lost. And I too am reminded to cherish my blessings, all of them.
I am totally with you. I don’t follow the blogs or anything either. Not because I’m a cold-hearted snake (but maybe a little) but because I would just sit here all day every day and cry. So I can’t do it.
I love this video! 🙂
I so agree with what you said. I feel like I have to distance myself because it makes my heart ache and I weep and feel depressed. It is not that I am in denial that these things happen every day, some family is losing their sweet child..I know this to be true. But for my own sanity I need to remove myself from it. I will continue to pray for these families when I “hear” of their stories. I will never understand they whys of Gods will, it is not my place to understand I guess. But like you, I will enjoy each precious moment with my own children, savor every hug, laugh at every joke, play with them as much as I can. And be so thankful so every second.
this makes me want to get out all our home movies! It’s funny what makes them laugh, isn’t it? All you can do is let Kayleigh’s story help you really appreciate your life and your children. It’s easy to complain, but they really are little lights.
Hello from sits 🙂
came over from Tim’s blog, hearing your baby laugh brought me joy!! thanks!!
What a cutie. She just kept laughing and laughing. You are so right. It is so important to appreciate all we have. I will be doing the same.
There’s been a lot of sad news in the last month with babies being lost, and it’s so true: appreciate every moment. I often get absorbed in the harder aspects of parenting that I forget what a blessing it is!
Great post that made me think.
Yes. Empathy is amazing. We can learn to be more grateful, more appreciative, and better people from the sorrow of others. Your post really was moving.
I loved your video. I miss that age. Your post was beautiful and right on.
Just browsing around tonight and landed on your blog. I can totally relate to the blessing and curse of empathy.
Loved your video. Makes me want to pull up old videos of my kids when they laughed like that. My 2 year old still does sort of.
Thanks for sharing. It put a smile on my face tonight. : )
SO PRECIOUS….love laughing babies
Yes, I have followed little Kayleigh’s story from the beginning. I just don’t get any of it. Why do these things happen? I will never understand. Unless, of course, it’s to remind the rest of us of how precious life is, and not to take a moment for granted…
so sweet, stopped by from Fort Thompson