A Baby Remembered

Abigail Marie.

Though her life was short, she touched the lives of so many. Her story is one of strength, character, grace, love and compassion. She was born on April 29,2009 but her story begins way before then.

Her Daddy is my little, well, younger brother. He is in the Air Force. He is a really good guy. He is funny. He thinks farts are funny to this day and always will, he will be a 90 year old man laughing at fart sounds and making fart jokes. I have written fart enough times now - happy Bud? He has always made me smile and I know he always will. He is a great father! He is strong and courageous.



Her Mommy is my blessed sister in law. She is married to my brother which makes her a saint in my book. She is sweet. She is kind. She is patient....so patient. She is loving. I am not sure of her opinions on the hilarity of farts yet but I do know that they are not allowed in the kitchen. She is easy to be around. She is fun and funny. She is a really great person. She is a fantastic mother! She is strong and courageous.




Abigail was a miracle from birth! Abigail was born with Spina Bifida. She had a large lesion on the small of her back. There are several types of Spina Bifida, hers was the most severe - Myelomeningocele. When she was born she was not breathing. The doctors worked on her and were finally able to stabilize her enough to have her flown by helicopter to Cedar Sinai hospital in LA. We were told that she would never walk, might have trouble urinating and with bowel movements, possible hydrocephalus and other complications. At only 23 hours old she underwent major surgery to repair the lesion in her back. It lasted 5 1/2 hours. The neurosurgeon was pleased with his part and the plastic surgeon was successful. She came through with flying colors, no complications, no problems. It was a miracle!

She came out of surgery with tubes going every which way but after only one day they had removed all but the IV and feeding tube. She was so strong and such a fighter! She continued to heal by leaps and bounds. Jennifer was pumping and by the time she got to the hospital they were able to give her some breast milk. She tolerated it very well and was quickly taken off of the feeding tube. Almost overnight she gained a reputation throughout the NICU for being quite the eater...and peepee-er and pooper. All of her body parts were working and working well. Another potential risk of Spina Bifida is hydrocephalus or water on the brain. We were told to be prepared for it because it occurs in 80+ percent of Spina Bifida patients. By the time of her release from the hospital she still did not have any hydrocephalus. Another Miracle!

After 2 weeks in the NICU she was finally able to go home.

She was healing quickly and progressing so well. She continued to do so well at home. She had her mom and dad wrapped around her little finger. She would only sleep if someone was holding her. She made baby cooing sounds. She rarely cried. She wriggled her hips. She moved her hands and arms all around. She melted your heart without even trying. She was a miracle. On Memorial weekend we had the privilege of a visit from baby Abigail! It was fantastic! We had several days of holding, hugging, snuggling, and loving on her. Her skin felt as soft as satin and she had that sublime new baby smell. Holding her was incredible, she melted in to your arms and became part a of you! She will always be a miracle!

Shortly after her visit with us her mom started to notice some things that just didn't seem "right". She went a whole morning with out pooping. Then the next day she was feeling clammy and out of sorts. She was taken to the hospital and they determined she needed to be taken back to Cedar Sinai hospital. They were trying to stabilize her, but complication after complication began to arise. Trouble breathing, very high white blood cell counts, trouble with IVs and antibiotics not working fast enough. The doctors did everything they could but her little body was overcome by infection. It was time for her Earthly body to give way to her Heavenly soul and she went home to be with our Lord. She touched the lives of those that knew her, saw her, heard about her or read about her. She had people praying for her that had never really prayed before. She made people realize what was important in life. She made everyone that had any knowledge of her a better person. Her imprint may be small but it is mighty and she made the world a better place. She is a miracle and we will be connected to her forever.

We are saddened by her loss but the profound imprint she has left on our hearts will never fade. Thoughts of her will always dance in our hearts and sing in our souls. When times are hard we will remember the battles she overcame. When we are weary we will remember her endurance. When we feel hopeless we will remember God's grace He shared through her. When we feel indifference we will remember the love and compassion we felt for her. Although she is not with us physically anymore she is with us in spirit always and forever.