Haylee (Daughter)

I’ve come to really realize the importance of those you keep in your corner.

Those that show up, time and time again, no matter what – and not just for you, but for your family, especially your children. Those that drop off a meal when you’re postpartum and haven’t slept or showered in a few days. Those that check in on you when you miss church service. Those that bring you your favorite sweet treat because they remembered you mentioned it in a conversation 6 months prior, and they just wanted to make you smile. 

Those that drop everything at a moment’s notice when tragedy strikes.

I found myself in a position where I had zero control over what was happening around me. I was hooked up to countless machines, lying in a hospital bed, my body was failing me, and thankfully, I had no idea. My wonderful husband answered questions before I could even speak them aloud. 

“Where’s the baby?” “Are the animals ok?” “What happened?” “How did we get here?”

He was there, holding my hand, answering every question, all with a smile on his face. Little did I know, chaos was swirling around me and his world was falling apart in front of his eyes. While I was resting, having tests run, going through treatments and procedures, he was breaking. He’d go out into the hallway, or into the waiting area and let just enough out, only to pull himself together, come back into the room, and greet me with a smile. His strength allowed me to focus on healing, even if I didn’t realize it at the time. 

Friends and family drove from miles away to be there with us in the thick of it. A schedule was even made with who was coming when, so we could visually see and be reminded that we were not alone. Someone drove our vehicle down since we didn’t have one, a few took care of my husband’s laundry so he wouldn’t have to leave my side, others sat with me so he could step away and shower or go for a walk and get some fresh air. Some brought snacks and puzzle books. Some brought coffee, a meal for my husband, or handmade blankets to help keep us warm in the cold hospital rooms. Some even brought me cute socks from Lululemon to keep my feet warm and stuff to try and keep my hair as healthy as possible.

Most importantly, every single person that came alongside us and bore this horrific event with us, came with prayer. Whether that was physically in person or miles away at home, those that showed up, showed out! Prayer after prayer after prayer is what got us through.

Jesus is what got us through.

The village we were blessed with, came together as a whole, whether they realized its capacity or not, and prayed and offered hope and love in a season of brokenness and worry. We were not put here on Earth to live life alone, and I can’t imagine how our situation would’ve turned out if we didn’t have our village.

Words can never begin to express the gratitude we have for them.