Thursday, March 01, 2007


My youngest sister, Dana, married a wonderful man named Thomas who loves the Lord and her with the purest of heart. They were married Saturday and it was one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever attended because it was all about the marriage and the celebration and not the hectic details. Dana called me around 8:00 that morning (the wedding was an 11:00 brunch) and was crying because she missed Noah. I said that I was sorry that she missed him. We both thought he’d be there, throwing food and making noises babies shouldn’t make at a wedding. I thanked her for thinking of him because as his mommy, I think about him just shy of the 86,400 seconds that are in one 24hour period. She told me that she thinks about him all the time…

Now, I know other people love Noah (hello, strangers have fallen in love), but I guess I never really know how frequently anyone thinks of him. There will be a chapter in Noah’s book about our last 24hrs with him prior to laying him before the Lord and the 24hrs that followed, but besides the fact that she was his aunt and loved him, we asked Dana to do something for us that’s not quite the normal in regards to an aunt’s “role”…She is currently a P.A.-C for an ENT. However, one of her rotations in school was with one of the best plastic surgeons in Colorado. Dana loved that rotation because she is particular and precise and learned plastic stitches and was quite good at it, in fact. When she had an orthopedic surgical job after school, the “Frankenstein” surgeons didn’t quite know what to do with her perfect stitches, since, it’s apparently cool to have 6 inch long earthworm scars when someone can actually take the time to make them a bit more presentable. Anyway, we asked Dana if she would stitch Noah’s tracheotomy after we removed the Shiley. She told us she would be honored and with the most tender of care, she helped a mom and dad know that their son had nothing missing and nothing broken…We all have ways we remember Noah, different pictures that pop into our heads, but it occurred to me that morning that perhaps Dana’s memory wasn’t from one of the many times she’d come sing him praise and worship and play with his fingers. Maybe it was stitching up her nephew a month and a half prior to the second most important day in her life?


22 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:50 AM

    I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm so sorry that you don't have Noah in your arms today.

    Your strength and character has shone through your blog. You are an inspiration. Noah is an inspiration.

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  2. Anonymous9:02 AM

    Ade,
    I just want you to know that I think and pray for Noah and your family everyday. I have never met you or Noah for that matter and there isn't a day go by that I don't think of him, and what kind of a little arnory boy he would be today. Have you started on your book? I can tell you now that when it is published I will be one of the first to buy it and share it with people who are lost without the Lord. You and your families faith in God speaks volumes to people! Keep strong! I love seeing new pictures and posts from you and your lovely family.God Bless You!

    Love,
    Amanda
    Kansas

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  3. Anonymous9:20 AM

    Praise God for sisters. I never truly realized the importance of my sisters in my life until this last year! Knowing that there were other people that loved my children as I did was amazingly humbling. Being an aunt myself, I know that I would do anthing for my nieces. I would take my sisters place if it would help ease the pain...I know your sister felt the same.

    I am thankful that you have such a wonderful sister who would do anything for you, and Noah. What a priceless gift to know that Noah was taken care of and surrounded by those who loved him with the utmost of their being on such a meaningful day. Praying for you all!!

    - Jessica

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  4. Anonymous10:28 AM

    nobody understands another persons grief,because as you have said before everybodys is differant.You are blessed to have a loved one who can come to your aid in such an emotional time in your life.Just think you can repay her for the rest of your life being there for her when she needs you x

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  5. Adrienne,

    I know myself, although I have never met you, Noah or any of your family, I think about Noah MANY times during the day. He is a very "infectious" little boy! I am glad that you share your family with all of us. I know nothing that anyone can say can take awhile the pain of not having Noah here, but someone had posted on another blog a thought that might bring a smile to your heart....

    God decided he was unable to continue in this Earthly world. God called him, and when God calls, we should listen. Please remember that whether children, live or die, God wins: if children are able to live, He gets to watch as their Earthly parents rock them, love them, and enjoy them; if He chooses to take them home, He's the one that gets to rock them, love them, enjoy them.

    I immediatly thought of Noah when I read this....What a nice thought, God wrapping his arms around your little Noah and snuggling him up! So the answer to your question, is yes, MANY people think about Noah MANY times thoughtout the day. :-)

    Love to you and your family
    P.S. Congratulations Dana on your new marriage!

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  6. Anonymous10:50 AM

    Blessings to Dana and her new marriage. :o) She sounds like a wonderful woman with a huge heart and tender soul.

    I wish her the best.

    Love,
    Mandy77

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  7. Anonymous11:14 AM

    I found this website shortly after Noah went home to be with the Lord. I come to it everyday. I pray for you and your family, and I am so sorry for you loss. As a mother of 3 I am amazed daily by your words and stregth. I wanted to say thank you. You have handled this with such grace. I don't know you but you have encouraged me to no end. God is using you in such a powerful way. Hailey Morrisett
    Indiana
    morrisett5@insightbb.com

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  8. Anonymous11:22 AM

    Congrats to your sister on her marriage!! She seems like a wonderful sister and an awesome Aunt to Noah and Em. Yes, Noah is missed greatly even by me, someone who never had the opportunity to even see the little guy in person. I seriously think of him several times a day and miss him like crazy. I know it sounds strange that I could miss someone I never even met but I really, really do. I can only imagine how much you and your family miss him. Ya know I have learned so much more about the Lord thru your blog and Noah's story but there are still things I can't understand about why things like this happen and why it has to hurt so much. I don't want to question God but at the same time, sometimes I just don't think it's fair at all. I just wish that Noah were back with you and your family. I know it's a selfish thought on my part and I hope God will forgive me but it's just how I feel. Please forgive me for saying all of this Adrienne, I am just upset that he isn't with you right now. I do know you will all be together one day and all of this will be behind us.

    Love,
    Paula and Family

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  9. What a thoughtful post, Adrienne. I'm so happy for your sister and the new life she's starting with her wonderful-sounding husband. I'm grateful to you that your family continues to grow in different ways. Welcome to an amazing family, Thomas.

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  10. Anonymous12:39 PM

    I can honestly say that I think of Noah every single day. My husband is a big U2 fan and every single time I hear a U2 song, the images of the BEAUTIFUL video you made comes to my mind. How lucky Noah is to have such a wonderful mother like you!

    Love,
    Gracie
    Texas

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  11. Anonymous12:42 PM

    Even though we are stangers, I think of your family often every day. My heart aches for your family. I am so sorry. It is a blessing that you are surrounded by so many people to help you. Noah is loved and thought of by so many, even strangers all over the world. Thank you for sharing him with us.
    Your sister looked so beautiful and at peace.

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  12. Anonymous12:56 PM

    Even though I have never met you or Noah I think of Noah every day. I have a son about the same age that looks just like Noah and it reminds me of him. I have learned so much by coming to your site and I will be very interested in your book. Your family just amazes me. I am always thankful at how blessed I am with my 2 kids. Thanks for continuing to keep your site updated, I like to hear how you're doing, you have such strength.

    Vicki
    Bark River, MI

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  13. I too think of Noah often. Random thoughts that just come through to me from nowhere. I always think of him for some reason when I take my kids for a walk. It must be something about the wide open space... Congratulations to Dana and Thomas, may God bless you.

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  14. Anonymous2:27 PM

    Adrienne I just wanted you to know that I think of Noah and your whole family everyday! I am a better person for knowing you all! Thank you.
    I love you.
    Wendy

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  15. I too, check your blog every day - your strength in the LORD inspires me! I have 3 daughters and your posts make me hug a little longer and tighter - even if they try to squirm away! My daughter loves to check out the pictures of Em - she is the one who loved the spanking spoon story a while back - we too, did a MAJOR hair cut once when Daddy was out of town - 10 inches - enough to send to Locks of Love :) Hope Em's Daddy liked hers-it's ADORABLE! Must be a "girl" thing. May God bless you TODAY :)

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  16. Adrienne-
    As a grieving auntie, I really relate to Dana. When I read that she had her wedding so shortly after the loss of Noah, my heart just broke. God has blessed us so much with a bond between sisters that some will never know. It really sucks that tragedy and heartbreak are what bring us closer together, but what a blessing, still. I will continue to lift you, your sister, and you whole family up in prayer. BTW- your daughter's hair is adorable!
    Holly Grate

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  17. Anonymous4:21 AM

    the first thing i do when im online is come straight to this blog. Its a whirlwind of emotions visiting,but i am never sad when i finish reading for the day,because i dont belive you share this blog for ppl to mourn noah and feel sorry for you , i belive that its a celebration of your little mans life and i salute you and your families courage.Your sister did a good thing for you, even though it will probably be a hard memory for her to live with, i dont think its going to be her significant memory of your beautiful son, because there will be so many beautiful ones for her to dwell on xxxxxx

    suzanne.

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  18. Anonymous9:00 AM

    I think of your son all the time, literally every day.

    Our son's are (I don't want to say were) just a few weeks apart in age so his story grips my heart.

    Maybe not every single time I pick up Will, but at least every other or every third, I think of Noah and say a little prayer. I think of you and wish you could be doing the same thing. And, I thank God for you - for sharing your story and helping me not only be a better Mother, but a better person over all.

    Much Love,
    Annalisa

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  19. praise God for your family. as i pray for my children, i am reminded to pray for my siblings and their relationships in my kids lives. you never know how they will minister to our kids when we are not around.

    and for the record, i think about noah...and you...everyday. and i'm pretty sure i'm not alone in that!

    katy
    long beach, ca
    www.yates5.blogspot.com

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  20. Adrienne,
    First off congrats Dana on your marriage. Many blessings to you and yours. And second sisters are such a blessing. I am grateful for my sister, even though I live in Texas and she lives in Georgia. You always have that bond with them. And I can say I think about Noah, you, Em and your family every day. You have changed my life in great ways. I am anxiously awaiting the book as well. You are such a shining light for the Lord, keep it up. Looking forward to your next post.
    God Bless,
    Kris
    kdwhorsesbrokenwranch.blogspot.com

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  21. Anonymous11:39 PM

    that dana is a beauty. :) i'm so glad she has the gift of a wonderful prince to remind her of her beauty, inside and out... someone to share her worth with.

    heidi jo w

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  22. Anonymous5:15 PM

    What's the sound of tears filling your eyes and heart wrung out and shook like a dishrag? As a never-a-mom, only-an-auntie, I relate somewhat to your sister and was so moved by her story. For her to have such an intimate expression of care and ministry to Noah ...argh... so heart-rending. And beautiful.

    Blessings to her. And to you.

    We will trust the Lord in times of blessing and triumph; we will trust the Lord in times of sorrow and pain; we will trust the Lord for all His goodness; in all of our trials, we will honor His name... We will trust Him all the days of our lives...

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