A couple of months ago, we joined a support group on Facebook for Intermountain Healing Hearts. It’s connected me to a whole new world I really didn’t know existed. We’ve spent 19 years doing this without any other heart families for support, and it’s like I’ve hit the jackpot with people who are going through the same kinds of things we are. (Most of their kids are much younger than Sarah, so they also appreciate my more experienced perspective.) I get messages in my inbox every day celebrating homecomings and milestones for tiny heart heroes. There are also questions, setbacks, frustrations and pleas for prayer for other struggling heart heroes. I’ve spent a lot of time reading blogs and stories of kids that are so amazing that it blows my mind, and so very sad that my heart literally breaks. I’ve made new friends that I’ve never met, but can’t wait to. I’ve connected with total strangers through my tears in messages written just for me of how to cope, and filling me with hope and prayers for my sweet daughter and family. When Sarah was in CICU last month, two of these amazing women came to visit us. They brought us a little care package of hospital survival stuff and a meal card for the cafeteria. We talked for a while, laughed, and parted with hugs. This new heart family I’ve found has been a blessing.
And the other night, as I lay awake thinking about two sweet heart angels who returned to their Heavenly Father just last week, I wondered how good it is for me to be so immersed in this new world of mine. Is too much of a good thing… bad? I mentioned this to Steve, and after some thought, he said, “a glass of water is really good for you, but you wouldn’t drink a swimming pool.” Um… For starters, pools are full of yucky chemicals…. But yeah, I got his point. Even too much chocolate would probably make me sick. I think sometimes my mind dwells on the sad and worrisome things too much, and in this world of heart babies, there is plenty of sadness and suffering. Unfortunately, not much can be done from my end to relieve it. But, there are also so many incredible miracles and blessings to witness. So I have become a part of this heart family (with much gratitude that we found them, for I need their love and support, too!). I know it is through compassion and prayer on others’ behalf that they are blessed and comforted. I will do what I can to help them through my positive encouragement, faith and prayers, but try diligently to remain focused on my own heart “baby” and the many miracles and blessings that surround her life. In that balance, I hope that this connection to so many incredibly strong heart moms will bless my life, and I can bless theirs, too!
~Julia