Angels

Brittany and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Normally we would either be with Brittany's extended family in Andalusia or with my family in Birmingham. This year we couldn't travel...so Thanksgiving was at our house. While we would have loved to have everyone visit, Gaines' recent battles with colds limited us to Brittany's parents, her sister and her sister's boyfriend. We had a very nice morning...Reed and Gaines enjoyed watching the Macy's parade on TV. Lunch was delicious and everyone left by early afternoon. Since Thanksgiving lunch was done, it was time to decorate for Christmas and turn on the Christmas music.

For any of you who know Brittany, you are probably well aware of her feelings towards celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving. Needless to say, we are not allowed to "skip" holidays at our house. No Christmas music or decorations until after Thanksgiving lunch.

Well, since Thanksgiving lunch was over and it was just the four of us in the house, we decided to put up the tree and listen to Christmas music. One of the songs that came on the radio really touched us. Brittany and I both cried. I think we will fight back tears throughout the Christmas season whenever we hear this song.

The song sort of summed up our journey with Gaines. The past eight months have been the hardest of our lives. We have experienced every possible emotion. There were times we doubted we would make it through it...but, God knew otherwise. Our lives have been touched by so many people this past year, many of them strangers. Any way, the song says it better than I can.

When life dealt troubled times and had me down on my knees
There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend just to say I understand
Ain't it kind of funny at the dark end of the road
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love

There were so many faces
Show up in the strangest places
Grace us with their mercy
In our time of need

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love

God has blessed Brittany and me with so many "angels" this past year...too many to mention. As I was listening to the song, I thought about all the times there were angels among us. If you have been following our story, we shared the many "God Things" that have happened during our journey. But I wonder how many times there were angels right there next to us. I wonder how many times Gaines looked up from his bed in the NICU and saw many more faces than just Brittany and me. I wonder how many angels comforted our son during his hospital stay. I wonder how many angels comforted Reed each night during the two months we were separated from him. Many times Brittany and I will look at each other and say "can you believe everything we've been through this year". This song just reminds us that we were not alone on this journey. God has used so many friends and strangers in our lives this past year to help us through this journey...and throughout this journey I'm confident we have had angels among us.

Beau