A Short Story Noah Inspired

This short story was sent to me by a member of our church after hearing our story of Noah.

"Several months ago at a meeting, you shared the story of your first born child. It is a tender story. Enclosed is a story that I wrote following that meeting. I enjoyed writing it. My hope is that it is as fun to read. Thanks for sharing your story and your lives at our church. We are blessed by your being with us."

The Story of Noah

(Sans the Ark and Many Animals)

By D. Prewitt 

It was the spring of life; a new marriage and their first child on the way - life in full bloom. Their friends too; young women sharing stories of the first kick and plans of showers.  Mothers with daughters recalling each step with a smile and the words, "When I was pregnant with you..."

They sat nervously in the doctor's office. The doctor had requested a special consultation. It was their third visit but things had been going well. The news came swiftly yet each word seemed to hang in the air. "Your baby has a condition that is incompatible with life." In that instant their hopes and dreams crashed without a sound. Joy was replaced with heartache. "Could it be happening to us?" they thought.

The next months passed by slowly. Follow up visits confirmed the first diagnosis. There was nothing to be done. It was inoperable. The nay Noah was born was a brutal confirmation of scientific accuracy. The little child lived, breathed and died in just a few moments. For the mother and father, love, sorrow and grief all within the rise and fall of his little breast.

Time passed. The young couple lived a full life. They had more children and grandchildren. Finally, when the woman called to her heavenly home, they had three great-grandchildren.

She was greeted in heaven by her parents and many friends and that preceded her. The Lord, Himself, was working through the crowd toward her when she heard a strange voice. She was certain that she had never heard it before but yet it seemed familiar. Even more peculiar, the voice belonged to a  man who looked a little like her father-in-law.

"Hello, mom. My name is Noah," he said. "I wasn't able to tell you this before but you were a terrific mother to me. You fed me and kept me warm. You protected me with your body. I could always hear you sing. I felt your pain when you knew I wouldn't be with you long. The safety of your womb was all I knew of life. I felt your love. Happy Mother's day, mom!"

About that time, the Lord embraced her. "Well done," he said. "We were especially proud of you and Noah. You had the special role of living the words of love to your generation. Come and enjoy peace in my presence."

"The king shall reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40 

Noah's Birthday: One Year Later

Last weekend marked one year since Noah was born. We didn't really know how to commemorate it - who does? We talked about several different things - planting trees, donating books or premie clothing, monetary donations - but when it comes down to it, we just wanted to be with people who had loved and supported us, walked with us, and made five trips to the airport in one day.

The week leading up to Noah's birthday was highly emotional for me. I am so glad, so blessed, that Dave was able to be home (not deployed) at this time.

We had dinner with Katie (Tom was stuck in AZ for the night), and fellow first-pregnancy-Trisomy 18 family, Kelly and Dan (who now have three lovely, healthy children). While there were many families who loved and supported us and Noah, if we were to have invited everyone, it would have been too many people and felt less personal. Katie made fresh peach pie - which many people who where here on Noah's birthday last year will remember as the best pie in the entire world. For real, that pie healed and comforted many wounds last summer. As such, Katie gave me a recipe card for "Noah's Famous Peach Pie."

All in all, it was a quiet day - a normal day - which is what we wanted this year.


I saw three individual signs of God's love for us on Noah's birthday.

1.  As I spent some time working in the yard, I noticed that my one surviving sunflower (of the 20+ I had originally planted) had finally bloomed. Additionally, I found a rogue sunflower seedling sprouting in the grass and repotted it.

2.  We received our first letter from our Compassion child. In April, Dave and I decided to sponsor a child through Compassion International. I chose Saju because his birthday was close to Noah's.

3.  God kept us busy with God. We spent the morning with our Pastor at a New Members class to become members of the church that's nurtured us these past hard years. I know that's not an "obvious" sign of God, but it kept us occupied, which is what I needed - not to dwell, but to be busy and with other God-loving christians.


"and whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." -Matthew 18:5

Trisomy 18 Foundation: On Holidays

As far as foundations go, Trisomy 18 foundation's website is in need of a make-over but the support they provide has been awesome. Specifically, their emails and cards around holidays.

At Christmas we received a card, an email on Mother's Day, and a preemptive email for Father's Day. And since the whole organization is built to support families who have children that have been diagnosed with T18, and therefore support many grieving families, they know exactly what to say. They really get it. It is seriously so refreshing to open a card/email and have it be spot-on. I remember I cried with the Christmas card because it was exactly where we were. It was as if their card put in to words exactly how I didn't realize I'd been feeling.

Christmas Card:

Dear Ann,

 We know how difficult this holiday season is without your precious Noah Patrick Every day without our babies is hard, but the first holidays hold a special emptiness. We want you to know that we are here to remember Noah Patrick with you, to grieve with you and to share memories with you.

We will not let Noah Patrick be forgotten because we believe that every child with Trisomy 18 ... no matter how fragile or brief their days, forever changes our world.

May you and your family find some peace and joy this holiday season.

With warm wishes from all of us, 

Trisomy 18 Foundation Staff and Volunteers

 On Mother's Day:

This Sunday, as we celebrate all mothers in the Trisomy 18 community -- we recognize that every child...no matter how fragile their life or brief their days...that child transforms a woman into a mother -- forever.

To all our mothers, we honor and celebrate the blessings of your special love for your very precious child impacted by Trisomy 18. 

To extended family members, friends, and caregivers, we encourage you to reach out to the mothers you know in your community to acknowledge them as the amazing Mothers they are. Remind them of their gifts and how much they've given to all their children -- those still with us today and those that have gone ahead of us from this life to the next.

From all our hearts to yours, have a gentle and loving Mother's Day,

Victoria J. Miller

Executive Director (And Isaac's Mom...forever) 

And on Father's Day:

Join us in Honoring all Fathers we know who love a child with Trisomy 18 this Sunday. . .

When we think of a father, the following words often come to mind: strong, protective, problem-solver, loving, and wise. A father takes on these roles with his children, wife or partner. 

Often, a diagnosis of Trisomy 18 causes a father to set side his own feelings while caring for his affected family. It can be difficult to share his feelings about Trisomy 18 and how it has impacted his family, including himself. 

Whether you are expecting, raising, or grieving the loss of a child with Trisomy 18, we know that you are a father — today and every day. 

If you are the family member or friend of a father who has been touched by Trisomy 18, please take time to acknowledge him on Father's Day. While his journey may be different than most, he still is a father. 

And so for many reasons we will always be lifelong supporters of the Trisomy 18 Foundation. Because they rock. One way we do that is through yearly monetary donations. Another way we support them is by using GoodSearch. If you haven't heard of GoodSearch, it's a search engine powered by Yahoo - but each search donates money to the organization of your choice: We chose Trisomy 18 Foundation. They've a sister site called GoodShop in which a certain amount of your purchase is donated.

http://www.trisomy18.org/
http://www.goodsearch.com
http://www.goodsearch.com/goodshop.aspx