10 November 2010

Keepsakes

I'm continually thankful that we have as many pictures of Ewan as we do -- it's one of the best ways I have of remembering him and our time with him in the hospital. When I look at a picture of him, I can remember how he looked at me, how his skin felt, or how he sounded when he cried.

The nurses at Seattle Children's Hospital made every effort to make our last night with Ewan as special and as memorable as possible (love them!). While our family and a couple of close friends gathered in his room, one of the nurses decorated Christmas ornaments with Ewan's name on them, and made a little scrapbook. I had specifically requested handprints, footprints, and a lock of his hair to keep. And so now I am able to have these for whenever I want to look at them and have a way of remembering.

NOTE: Click on any of the images below to view larger.

Left foot
Right foot, and the lock of hair on the left
Itty bitty handprints!

I got something else very special in the mail yesterday. Kristin is the friend of a friend and had been following our story since just after Ewan's birth. She sent me a letter telling me how Ewan's story had impacted her and told me of how she wanted to do something special for us. And so imagine my surprise and delight when I opened a box to find this beautiful necklace.



If you're already familiar with Lisa Leonard Designs, then no doubt you recognize her beautiful work. This particular design is called Marked by Love. It's just my style and satisfies the desire to have something tangible with me always that bears Ewan's name -- something that will always whisper: he was here, and it matters.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I stand speechless.
I long to be as strong as you are.
Blessings to you. You remain in my prayers sweet lady.
Much Love,
Andrea (hopeannfaith)

terri said...

i'm so glad for you that you'll have this pressing against your skin reminding you (as if you needed reminding) of ewan's life. he does matter. he will matter forever.

Lisa said...

My daughter, Tessa, was born on 1.26.09 We came home from the hospital on 1.27.09, but unfortunately found ourselves at Seattle Children's on 1.28.09. Tessa spent the next 10 days in the NICU there and ultimately passed away on 2.7.09. I will forever for thankful for the nurses there and for the many ways the comforted my husband, our 2 other daughters (who were 3 & 5 at the time) and our many family members who surrounded us at this time of need. Just like you, I am thankful for the keepsakes that the nurses spent many hours making. We are also thankful for the photos of our precious girl and our family that were taken by Soulumination while we were in the hospital. Tessa will forever be part of our family and will never be forgotten!!! www.remembertessa.com

Miriam said...

LOVE those NICU nurses. One of our NICU nurses bought River a tiny, red velour doll dress so that she'd have something festive to wear for Christmas (she was still too tiny to wear normal preemie clothes), and it meant the world to us. She even did an impromptu photo shoot of River in the dress and gave us the pictures.

The necklace is SO perfect....

Emily (Laundry and Lullabies) said...

The necklace is perfect. I'm glad that you have that.

Nancy said...

Just perfect...and you can wear it so close to your heart. I still treasure each keepsake from my heavenly heart baby, Joe, born 30 years ago. I especially love to get his baby blanket out and hold it close to my heart and remember each little detail of the days that he seemed so healthy and alive along with the days I held him close in that same blanket knowing he would die. You will treasure these keepsakes forever, keeping Ewan's memory alive and that is a blessing indeed!

Kristin said...

What wonderful tribute to your son. Thank God for a nursing staff that recognized how important he was!

I love the new header you have - the picture of him is so beautiful!

Kristin

Shay said...

so beautiful! I love the necklace and the precious keepsakes. What a treasure you have to remember your precious son and to keep him close. still praying! xoxo

HennHouse said...

It does matter.

HE matters.

Loving you.

christianne said...

I love that necklace! (And I love Lisa Leonard's designs, too!) So glad you have it to wear close to your heart always. xoxo

Lisa said...

so beautiful.

Anonymous said...

No mistaking he was here, that sweet boy did so much in his short time...and it certainly does matter. Your words are so perfect. I love that you have such a thoughtful and meaningful gift to treasure. Sarah V.

Ingrid's Organic Body Care said...

what a sweet and thoughtful necklace. and sweeter still was your sweet ewan eliezer...and to think that he was created by you and James. I am continually amazed at God's creation of the one flesh union and therefore the creation of life...divided chromosomes from the mother and father uniting into one little soul. praying for you in your grief. and may your realization of the gravity of personal suffering give you boldness and gentleness in ministering to others the truth of Christ, the only hope of salvation. so thankful for God's care of you.

Tea said...

What beautiful things to have, to remember your sweet one. Love to you, Kirsten. <3

Megan said...

He was here, and IT DOES MATTER!! <3 So glad you can wear his beautiful name around your neck and close to your heart now! :)

(And I have a huge box of Savannah's keepsakes as well... funny and special all of the simple little things I collected in her eight short days. So glad you have those things too!)

All my love and prayers,
Megan@ A story unfolding