Simple Things

While looking for family quotes for a photobook I was working on, I came upon the a story and photo that I thought was touching and amazing. It came out a few years ago and many sites say that it should be the picture of the year or even the picture of the decade, but only those who obtained that one specific issue of a USA Today would have ever seen it. The "Hand of Hope" photo is of a 21 week old unborn baby Samuel being operated on by a surgeon; the baby was diagnosed with spina bifida and would not survive if removed from his mother's womb. Fortunately, they heard of a surgeon who performs remarkable in-utero surgeries to correct problems before a baby is born. According to the text and the photographer Michael Clancy's point of view, "During the surgery on little Samuel, the little guy reached his tiny, but fully developed, hand through the incision and firmly grasped the surgeon's finger...as if thanking the doctor for the gift of life...Little Samuel's mother said they 'wept for days' when they saw the picture." Though some may find it a bit gory, the incredible photo shows God's precious gift of life.

Sometimes it is the simple things in life that can have such an affect and touch us. Our little Sweetpea has started to respond and smile more now. It is those moments when she looks up and smiles at me that makes the sleepless nights and everything all right and worth it. It is through her simple gesture that I am reminded of God's blessing, and I look forward to experiencing more joys of motherhood as we watch her grow up.