I'm baaaackkkk...

As you can see it has been about a year and a half since I last posted. As I mentioned in September of 2007, the absolute focus of my life had been the birth of my three granddaughters. At that time I referred you to Keira's blog at http://3sorrells.blogspot.com. 

From the moment we got the news that Keira was pregnant with multiple babies, most of everything took a backseat to the moment when she would give birth. As she has detailed in such a moving way, she gave birth three months prematurely at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. The girls - Avery, Lily and Zoe - were rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Weighing little more than a pound each, they were monitored, nurtured and nourished by an amazing group of doctors, nurses and technicians. Keira and Richard spent hours beyond count in the NICU making sure that the girls received the highest level of care possible and bonding the best way they knew how, though just a touch was infrequent at best, during those early weeks. They were joined nearly daily by Richard's and Keira's mothers (Cindy and Bonnie). Kristine and I came as frequently as we were able, though we were keenly aware of the sacrifices that all the close-by visitors and supporters were making and, I for, one really did not feel that I was doing enough.

The babies grew and progressed and began making their way through the various units in the hospital and ultimately came home. The photo to the left shows them at about nine months (six months adjusted). As you can see, Zoe was on oxygen and was on a steady course of steroids to aid her lung development, which had the unfortunate side effect of causing her to retain fluid. She had a number of physical issues that slowed her progress and, by the time she came home, Lily and Avery had already been there for several months.

Zoe died February 16, 2008 in Keira's arms. The memorial service held a few days later was attended by about two hundred people, many of whom had cared for her during her nine month stay at Northside. I can scarcely describe the outpouring of grief. Worst of all was to see my own daughter in such agony and to see that grief, and all the other conflicting emotions present, continue. We just returned from the one-year family commemoration of Zoe's angelversary. Amidst the tears and sadness, there was also time for laughter and fond recollection of the short time that Zoe spent with us on this good earth.

It was good to share this time with Avery and Lily, Keira, Richard, Naomi, Kristine, Bonnie, Cindy and Phil (Richard's dad) and Keira's close friend, Alice . Richard prepared an amazing six-course dinner that would be the envy of any Michelin-rated chef, which Keira served it with aplomb. It was their way of saying thank you for the love and support from those seated at table. On the 16th we wrote our own messages to Zoe on lavender balloons and released them on the beach. We, also, put together memory books over the course of a couple of days. It was a lovely communal feeling gathered around the table, chatting and working on our craft project. 

Through her blog, Keira has helped to create and sustain a community of people who have shared experiences such as hers. This community extends far and wide and includes mothers of multiples and micro-preemies and those who have suffered infant loss. Again, I urge you to visit her blog at http://3sorrells.blogspot.com. It provides an exceptional window into the struggle and transformation of a young woman I love beyond words.

Richard and Keira have also formed the Zoe Rose Foundation, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the issues that her blog has been addressing. They have made some terrific strides in bringing this foundation into reality in a very short time. Once the website is up, I will provide a link here.