Celebrating Life

This morning I attended the funeral for a friend for his beautiful little girl, Isla Paige.  To be honest, attending the funeral of an infant is something I'd hoped and prayed I'd never have to do, well...ever.  Not because it's sad...of course, it's sad, but because the thought of a parent burying their infant child makes my stomach turn.  I felt this way prior to having Nolan but since having my baby boy, this feeling has only intensified.  Now it pulls at my heart and I literally cry every time I think about it.    Knowing that these wonderful, faithful people will never get to hold their baby the way I hold Nolan breaks my heart. 

Last week Nolan hit what seemed to be a mix between the "4 month sleep regression" and a growth spurt.  There were two nights he woke up between 3-4 to eat but went back to sleep until 8:30 or 9.  Then it stretched to wanting to eat at 5:30-6:30 and going back to sleep until the same time if not longer.  I complained at this new change in his schedule (he had been sleeping 12 hours straight for the last 5 weeks) and found myself annoyed with having to get up in the middle of the night to feed my baby.  On Monday morning, he woke up at 6 and something was different.  I thought of baby Isla and suddenly realized, I needed to stop complaining.  I have a healthy, beautiful little boy who is smart enough to let me know he is hungry.  I should feel blessed that I am able to walk in his room and snuggle up while I feed him.  That he is home with us and I can hold him whenever I want.  In the celebration service today, someone said "Isla showed us what is important in life".  I couldn't agree more.  This beautiful little girl that I never met has changed the way I look at life.  She has strengthened my faith in God.  She has helped me to remember to cherish every single day I have with my son as well as my family.  And she has reminded me to never take anything or any time I have here on Earth for granted.  Thank you sweet little Isla Paige. 


Seeing the incredible strength Mark and Melissa showed today just confirms my belief that God is so good and mighty.  Watching Mark walk down the aisle carrying the casket of his baby girl is an image forever engraved in my mind.  The celebration of life service was so beautiful and a wonderful way to honor such a sweet baby girl.  To all my friends and family that read this blog - please pray for this family tonight. 

If you care to look back on Isla's story, visit her caringbridge website:  www.caringbridge.org/visit/islapaige.

A website has also been created to help with medical and funeral costs.   https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/c5z4/isla-paige-10-000-warrior-memorial.   Also, hot pink and black bracelets are on their way (arriving July 10th) to help raise funds for the family.  Wait until you see how cool they are...you will DEF want one :)

Hold your babies close tonight...I know I did :)

 

 

Nolan giving Isla kisses :)