Windfall —”an unexpected gain” — who wouldn’t want one?
Oh, have I got a story for you, a tale worth a roomful of candles and cake . . . 
S.O.S.
One week ago the local adoption agency phoned our eldest daughter, mother to our 16-month-old grandson. The agency’s request was urgent, the need, dire.
A struggling newborn in the Deaconess Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) needed someone to help her learn to eat. Hopefully, to thrive. Overworked nurses wanted someone calm and caring to hold one tiny girl, coax her into life. Would our daughter come?
She and her husband weighed the risks. There were many.
Still, she went. Stepped right into miraculous, heart-wrenching chaos for five days. We met our newest little one in NICU that first evening. Ashen and frail, with an awkward feeding port in her skull and cords snaking off to various monitors, she looked like a small electric doll. Over those five days she responded to love and began to eat. She relaxed a little. Unfurled in our daughter’s arms like a pale pink rose.
Meet Keira Jean, our instant granddaughter, ten days old today.
Prevailing wisdom urges us to hold God’s gifts lightly. Loosely. To cherish them, not try to hoard or control them. It’s sound advice.
Keira, however, needs quiet containment. Extra-tight swaddling. Steady, soft-spoken words.
Keira also needs an ocean of nightly patience. These are her bad times. She’s riding out the rogue waves of prescription drug withdrawal. Those breakers crash against innocence and wide-eyed delicacy. Sometimes she shrieks for hours.
I weather the midnight heartbreak with prayers and ongoing experimentation. What will soothe or a least distract her, now, in this moment? Last night, after two hours of failure, I simply enfolded her close to my body and tried to become stillness. A vessel for God’s peace.
I told myself we were two plucky characters in a movie, the tale of a touch-and-go life that would ultimately surmount every incoming wave to one day change this world.
She has already changed mine.
Windfall
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know I’m a wonder junkie. A woman with an eye for the unexpected. One who keeps looking around . . . and up.
In our family, grandchildren seem to fall from the sky. No storks. No warnings. The phones ring. Our children say “yes.” Three times this has happened. We pray for that fourth call, yet to come, for our youngest daughter.
Each arrival — a marvelous windfall though radically inconvenient, unexpected, a little crazy — feels timed by Heaven. Yes, the process is grueling. And wondrous. Often wrenching.
There is great risk.
There is greater love.
“Every good gift bestowed, every perfect gift received comes to us from above,
courtesy of the Father of lights. He is consistent.
He won’t change His mind or play tricks in the shadows.”
Sooner or later, our children bring us to our knees. We can’t raise them alone; it takes a village.
Friends, will you pray with (and for) us?
For all who encouraged and strengthened our daughter last weekend — thank you.
For friends who provided clothing, furniture, and supplies — we are so grateful.
For our youngest daughter who lovingly babysat Keira’s big brother, and for social workers, doctors, and nurses — this wonder would not have happened without you. We thank you.
And to all, for your ongoing prayers, we wish for you the windfall your heart desires.
It surprises me not that the Lord has been busy and active orchestrating the care of His precious ones. While my husband and I were gone to a week-long conference in California hearing and witnessing His healing love in lives in the realm in which we work and minister, you and your family were experiencing it in its full reality too – at the beginning of life, not decades later. I love that you are a wonder junkie, Laurie. It’s also why He chooses to provide an ongoing life of wonder to you and yours. He knows He can trust you and that you will appreciate it all, from every angle. Enjoy your starry perch in the night sky and remember that joy comes in the morning. Always. Keira Jean is a blessed baby ♥
Nancy, your thought about me being “entrusted” with wonder makes me catch my breath. That’s a new angle for me. Yes, may I appreciate it always. Thanks for bearing witness to healing love, in your work, in our lives, in your writing too. The other image that strikes me is “starry perch.” Gonna hang on to that one during the next long night. Bless you!
Beautiful. The love, the risk, the patience. The words telling the story. Beatuiful!
Zanny, those three words you chose—love, risk, patience—sum up adventure beautifully. May they sum up our ongoing response to the need as well. Thanks for your thoughts.
How precious and new little life, it brings back so many memories of our sweet daughter Paige! Love and prayers go out!!
Bob and Joyce, huge yes: I knew you two would especially understand the marvels and perils plus everything in-between. Thanks so much for dropping by the blog. You’re always welcome here! Love you both heaps!!
Dearest Laurie, only now, Sept. 2, am I getting to your blog. Your skillful account carried me into the emotion, struggle, joy and trial of this recent and urgent drop from heaven. Not knowing but scanty background about your daughters and their windfall babies, I quickly conclude that God has been busy in your lives as a family for the sake of needy children, babes our Lord cherishes. I hope we hear more of this ongoing story. This morning I will pray for Keira Jean, and “miracle mother.” I love you, Niki
Niki, your conclusion not only touches me but enlarges my view of our family. You give me a glimpse from heaven’s perspective. I am so grateful for words and how they help us process events, grateful for YOUR words this morning. I will carry this with me in the days ahead, Thank you so much for your prayers.
Awwww, tears of joy. Thank you for another beautiful post. Love to you and your family.
Dear Pacia, thanks for your love!
Love abounds. Grace abounds.
Abba carries all of you and smiles.
Our world is made more beautiful by families like yours.
Thank you for sharing.
Carol, thanks for that lovely word “abounds”! Good to meditate on when fatigued!!
Welcome Keira Jean, my first great niece! I pray God will give you and your new family peace and wisdom and joy as you begin to discover just how lucky you are that God has brought you all together. I look forward to meeting you!!!
Sweet sister of mine, thank you for those prayers and good wishes. You will love her, sis!
Wow this grabs our hearts. A depth of love and commitment for this vulnerable little girl. Amazing story, we are praying for all of the family. Hugs and love to your hearts.
Diane and Ted, it’s amazing to be drawn into such a story in person, humbling that you feel it from afar and send your hugs and prayers and love. Thank you!
God bless all of you, Laurie. May this be the beginning of a beautiful journey for all of you who have given this baby girl her chance in life. I’ll be praying with a full heart and a tear or two.
Susie, what a beautiful wish for our family. Thanks for your love and prayers. We definitely need them! So grateful for you.
So happy for you! You are in my prayers.
It is a great happiness and knowing you share it makes it all the sweeter, friend. Thank you!
Congratulations to ALL! What a wonderful blessing from above!
Deanna, you are such an encourager. So grateful for you.
“There is great risk. There is greater love.” So true of all the children (and grandchildren) we have and raise, whether through ‘normal’ means or the unexpected, miraculous ways.
So grateful for this backstory, friend. I will definitely be praying for you all.
Sending love your way.
I suppose it’s true of grownups too. Thanks for rejoicing with, and praying with and for us, dear friend. Sending love back your way! 🙂