Faith and Prayer

Today was a day that I never wanted to come. I have blogged about Baby Gracie before. She was born in March last year. She is the daughter of a good friend of mine, Michele and Tom Gledhill.(Baby Gracie's blog: thegledhillfamily.blogspot.com) My heart is just aching for them. They have to say goodbye to their sweet baby girl today. Last year at this time I would sit at the computer and just ball my eyes out reading about the ups and downs that they were going through with Gracie. Then I would talk with my dad, mom, or family member about the difficult time my dad was having trying to recover from so many health problems. Well, today I have all of those feelings back and I surely wasn't good for much today. I was crying or on the vurge of crying all day. My heart goes out to Michele and Tom and their three other kids. I can't imagine saying goodbye to any of my children---even knowing what I know, and the Faith I have that I know there is life after death. It was hard enough to deal with my dad's death--but he had a good 75 years! I can't imagine the rough road ahead that this sweet family will have. But, I do know that Faith and Prayer is what will get them through the tough times ahead. I think it has been what has gotten them this far. So many people have been praying for sweet Gracie and the Gledhill family. And, sweet baby Gracie has touched so many hearts and homes. It is truly amazing that in her short 11 months, by her sweet spirit she has had the most amazing impact and has truly touched so many. I felt her sweet spirit when I saw her for the first time in her hospital room. I will never forget the feeling I had as I entered the PICU and then her room. She was so sweet just lying there asleep. Here spirit so strong. Baby Gracie was born with a severe heart defect, HLHS. They knew about this before she was born. She had her first sugery about 4 days old. That night they almost lost her. They thought they were going to have to say goodbye then, but she fought to stay here and is a true miracle baby. There have been many ups and downs, and Michele and Tom have spent countless hours at her bedside in the hospital and caring for her at home. It pains me to think of the road ahead for them. Michele has so amazingly taken care of Gracie's medical needs 24/7. She had to constantly be on top of things--like every 1/2 hour doing something for Gracie. I worry for my friend. What is she going to do during those "free" moments of time. I worry for Tom and the kids too. It is going to be so difficult for them all. They loved that baby and were so happy to have her as part of their family. It is hard to think that something so wonderful has to come to an end. But, we know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. The plan for Gracie's earthly experience was unfortunately short, but yet we know---thank goodness---that she is with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. What a comforting feeling to have that testimony and knowledge.
So, I guess I would just like to remind myself that Faith and Prayer is what can get us through our difficult times and that we are all children of our Father in Heaven and he loves us, and he knows each one of us individually. He has a plan for each one of us, our own unique plan. I know it pains him to see us go through difficult times and to watch us suffer. But, he knows what is best for us and knows what we need to be able to learn and grow to become like him.

Please keep the Gledhill family in your thoughts and prayers.