I want to catalog some of the stories surrounding this relic which has become such a touchstone of grace in our life and the lives of others.
The relic's custodian told me this story too. They don't all have a storybook happy ending, at least in this world. I'm going to be real honest, I couldn't make it through the family's Caring Bridge entries. I'm quite certain that it is a grace filled story of redemptive suffering, but I'm not far enough removed from our own to be able to handle reading it.
She wrote:
Baby Regina was blessed with the relic while still in utero last year. She was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and a genetic diagnosis of Trisomy 18 as well. She was not expected to live very long after birth, if she made it that far. She was born four months after the first blessing and blessed with the relic a second time shortly thereafter. Although she had many struggles, she exceeded doctor's expectations and didn't just live for hours or days, she was able to come home from the hospital with her family and spent 4 beautiful months with them before she passed and was a testimony to God's grace everyday she lived.
Last fall, Regina's family wrote:
Regina is in the loving arms of God!
Regina peacefully entered into eternal life last night at 1245 am in the loving arms of her mother and surrounded by her siblings. We thank God for four glorious, joy filled months with our Regina! Everyone that met her left with a smile. We will miss her tremendously but look forward to being with her again in eternity.
We are very grateful to everyone for your prayers and support. We will post on Caringbridge the funeral arrangements when we know them.
Regina Marigold, Pray For Us!
No comments:
Post a Comment