#30DaysofHope Day 6- Kelsie, Langston & Kyler

Hope is not a word that came to mind when I lost my nephew in March of 2017.

Langston was born at 24 weeks and fought to live.

I sat with my sister in the hospital the week before he was born. She had spontaneous preterm labor that they tried hard to stop. We had hope that Langston was going to make it. My view of pregnancy completely changed.

You hope & dream about beautiful babies making their way into the world full term, but I watched my sister, brother in law & family shatter.

When my sister became pregnant again, we clung to faith & hope. Their perfect baby boy was born full term in 2019. Then my twin sister had a perfect baby girl.

Our family hoped preterm labor were words we wouldn’t have to think about again. My son Kyler was born at 27 weeks later that year due to preterm labor. I had a “perfect” pregnancy & clung to hope that everything would be perfect. I spontaneously went into labor on Labor Day & had him within a few hours. We all shattered with worry. We had been down this road. We prayed & hoped Kyler would make it.

After 105 days in the NICU, our hopes & dreams became a reality when he came home.

When I look at Kyler, I see hope. My fears disappear because I see his strength.

I know he fought & fought because of Langston. Langston held his hand every step of the way & always will. We see you shining every day sweet Langston. We hope no family ever has to love a baby in heaven. We hope no family has to see their baby connected to wires through the glass of an isolette.

Hope is what brings us together & faith is what keeps us going. Cling to what is good & love hard on those around you. I hope you see there are better days ahead.