Extra snuggles tonight...

Tonight Allison woke up about an hour after she went to bed and was crying real hard, so I rushed upstairs to get her. As soon as I picked her up she snuggled right in. Normally in cases like this, I try to settle her down and put her back to bed ASAP. We all know what happens when you put a sleeping baby back in the crib - they wake right back up. However tonight was different and we rocked and snuggled. I couldn't put her back down. This past week has been a reminder of how lucky we are to have her and that I can't take life for granted.

I belong to an on-line message board for moms in the Grand Rapids area or for those who have ties here. I have always felt silly explaining that to people...I have "imaginary" friends who I talk with on a daily basis. Try explaining that one to your husband. However in the last year and a half I have come to know and respect these women. We have seen each other through happy times such as positive pregnancy tests, the births of our babies, new jobs, new homes and so much more. We have also seen each other through sad times such as having trouble trying to conceive, miscarriages, loss of job, and loss of parents.

Last week, the unimaginable happened. One of our own lost their child. Jakob, who was 18 months old and a twin, came down with a virus. He had a fever that spiked very rapidly and had a seizure. The damage to his brain was too severe and they had to take him off life support. He passed away last Thursday.

Although I have never met his mother, my heart is breaking for this family. I can't even imagine the pain and suffering they must be going through. I'm sure his twin sister will always have an empty place in her heart. There are no words of comfort you can offer at a time like this.

I realize how lucky I am to be part of the board. I realize that if anything happened to me they would rally around me and my family in an instant. They have supported me during my pregnancy with Allison, her first year, and during this pregnancy. Yes, I have imaginary friends, but they have been good ones. I also want to give credit to my friends on another message board that I belong to. They are some of my best blog readers or at least they are the ones who leave the most comments. :)

So tonight, hug your little one extra tight, give your spouse an extra kiss goodnight, or tell the ones you love that you care about them. Also don't forget to say a prayer for Jakob and his family. They need all the ones they can get.