Pause for Thoughts-Poems

As I Love You Through The Glass	Neonatal Intensive Care Unit		One Day At A Time
Preemie Baby Prayer	Daniel	Angel	For Kellie Christine
Look On the Sunny Side	Into Your Hands	Chad	Blessing In Disguise
Heaven's Very Special Child	A Child is Born	A Gift From God	Beautiful Baby Boy
You Can't Imagine	Preemie Cherubs	Jeffrey’s Poem	A Preemie Grows Up
Dark Empty Pit	To Realize

As I Love You Through The Glass By Elena Murphy As I love you through the glass a tiny hand sweeps across the blanket reaching out to me. You lie there in the stillness of your slumber clinging to life; I reach inside to touch you and you stir slightly; I feel a tiny breath like a feather caress my fingers as I love you through the glass. One eye opens easily staring into mine; Can you see me? Can you feel my presence as I love you through the glass. I ache to hold you; I await the moment when you peacefully rest in my loving arms. A silent tear rolls down my face; I slowly turn to walk away only to glance back one more time as I love you through the glass.	Neonatal Intensive Care Unit by Trish Smith People world wide read the pages of preemie babies...But they have no idea what it is like... They feel sorry for us, They get encouraged by us, They cheer for us!!! A lot of mother's come out of the NICU feeling stronger .. Well 2 years down the track------I don't. I still feel the pain of leaving my baby, Of knowing that nobody cares as much as mummy no matter how much they try. I still feel the pain of knowing that when i left, MY baby went through procedures that I saw other babies go through. I know that my baby had needles upon needles, test upon test (for the better) and I was not there. I know that my baby was where he was meant to be....but my arm's were empty. My heart broke every time i went in...left ...was asleep...was driving there... Is he still alive????? Is he crying????? Can I touch him today????? How many more brusies will i see????? Will he ever be mine????????? Neonatal Intesive Care Unit: The place where they save lives. Where the sun does not reach... unless you bring it in with you. The place where all the care in the world is taken, But you don't know what will happen next. The place you long to be at, but dont want to go to. NICU the place dreams live and die in, NICU the place you love..but hate, NICU the place that I cannot forget, NICU the place that gave me Daniel! ©2000-2001 Trish Smith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Do not use without permission from the owner, Trish Smith.
One Day At A Time By Sharon Fraser Just another check up, just another scan, tomorrow you're having your babies.... that's not part of the plan! Robbed of your last trimester, no more time inside, your stomach is flat, your plans, your dreams swept under the mat. Your babies are taken to recieve the best care, but you ask yourself, is this really fair? What's going to happen? Are they going to grow? No wonder the tears start to flow. One day you're up, next you're down, caught on a rollar coaster on the wrong side of town. Another event, another chin lift, sitting on your lazyboy, into a dream you drift. Why me? If only? What's the use? Your mind, your spirit totally let loose. Each day you get stronger and learn to cope and most importantly you never give up hope! As one day you will walk out with your babies in your arms, free of the wires, monitors and all the alarms.
Preemie Baby Prayer Author Unknown God bless the little child behind the plastic wall For all he knows is the ringing of the bells and the blurred images around him. He has been taken from my womb without warning and I long to hold him in my arms. Lord, I ask in your name that my child be healed. I am willing to accept your decision no matter what it will be. I am willing to take on the responsibilities for caring for this child. I am willing to give this child love and understanding no matter the cost. Please Lord help me to accept reality and what has happened without explanation or warning. Help me face the fact that this is not my fault and that I was given a special task to complete here on Earth. God give my child the strength to make it through another second, minute, hour and day as each moment is a blessing and a triumph from heaven. God, may you give the strength and compassion to the caregivers and nurses that take care of my child May you keep my child protected and free from all injury and pain. Please take away the guilt and burden from my heart dear Lord. It is heavy and I feel it is all my fault. Take it away dear Lord. Sweet Jesus allow me the stregnth and understanding I need to communicate with the Doctors and Nurses. As you see dear Lord, I am at your mercy for the life of my child. Please leave him here on Earth and know that I will provide all the love and understanding that this child needs. I accept the challenge and will be your humble servant dear Lord.	Daniel by Niaomie Smith written for her mom, Trish Smith September 23, 1998 Don't worry, don't cry Because Daniel is going to be fine. In your womb, eating your food, Kicking around, Moving upside down. So don't worry, don't cry Because Daniel is going to ~Be fine~ Dancing around, A baby boy, Niaomie's little brother. In your womb, Eating all your food, Little Survivor. With Love, Niaomie 23.9.98
	Soft as the voice of an Angel, Breathing a lesson unheard, Hope with a gentle persuasion Whispers her comforting word: Wait till the darkness is over, Wait till the tempest is done, Hope for the sunshine tomorrow, After the shower is gone.
Into Your Hands By Alan Van Orman, M.D. A tribute to the newborn intensive care nurse Into your hands I bring a life, small and fragile; just a spark that's fading into the dawn and yet as precious as any. For I have learned from you that all life is right and justifies the greatest fight that man can give to save it. That it may be wasted later is true, but to you here and now, it is tended and nurtured with infinite skill and wisdom, until every energy for life which man can give has been expended. For you, death is still the arch-intruder; common as he is, he has still not dulled your senses. For I have seen your tears, and I have seen you soar when one wee name has been stricken from his list. And I have felt your strength- Those strong, broad shoulders bearing great burdens gently. For you have pitted brain and skill and love alone against the night and won. I have listened to your instinct; that wild and magic unmeasurable something that men do not posess. Tending and mothering and feeling and knowing when something's wrong When all else of man's devices fail to know. So once more... into your hands I bring a life, small and fragile; just a spark that's fading in the dawn. For who but you can hold this life secure... and who but you can know how great a triumph may yet await another dawn.	Look On The Sunny Side By Helen Steiner Rice There are always two sides, The good and the bad, The dark and the light, The sad and the glad -- But in looking back over The good and the bad We're aware of the number Of good things we've had -- And in counting our blessings We find when we're through We've no reason at all To complain or be blue-- So thank God for the good things He has already done; And be grateful to him For the battles you've won, And know that the same God Who helped you before Is ready and willing To help you once more-- Then with faith in your heart Reach out for God's hand And accept what he sends, Though you can't understand-- For our Father in Heaven Always knows what is best, And if you trust in his wisdom Your life will be blessed, For always remember That whatever betides you, You are never alone For God is beside you.
Chad By Janice Kennedy, RNC Pink, soft baby turns mottled gray One day going home, the next, you have to stay Your mommy cries and your dad is upset It's not a day they'll soon forget All the dreams they've had for you Begin to crumble as you turn pale blue Your breathing is labored and your chest sinks in You grunt and wheeze, to take air in A tube is placed, you're on a machine More lines all around, what does it all mean The nurses are puzzled, Doctors without a clue Your body's growing weaker, what else can we do Has yet a prayer been called to the Lord Has someone thought to ask, did they think He was bored He made you one day when he needed someone To come down to earth and show us His Son He molded and made you, each little bit Your body is perfect and just the right fit For this place in this world that God put you in To bless those who know you again and again What a Miracle! Everyone will all say As you get better day after day Who was it that prayed when you were in need? I'm sure it was Jesus, who was kneeling to plead At the foot of the Father in Heaven above Because in His eyes, you are special The object of His Love! Used with permission from Janice Kennedy	Blessing in Disguise Author Unknown Blessings in Disguise are Difficult to Recognize God sends his "little angles" In many forms and guises, They come as lovely miracles That God alone devises - For he does nothing without a purpose, Everything's a perfect plan To fulfill in bounteous measure All he ever promised man - For every "little angel" With body bent and broken, Or a little mind delayed Or little words unspoken, Is just God's way of trying To reach and touch the hand Of all who do not know Him And cannot understand That often through an angel Whose "wings will never fly" The Lord is pointing out a way To his eternal sky Where there will be no more handicaps Of body, soul or mind, And where all limitations Will be dropped and left behind - So accept these "little angels" As gifts from God above And thank Him for this lesson In FAITH and HOPE and LOVE.
For Kellie Christine by Sharon Morcos Based on: John 14:1-4, Isaiah 49:16, Eccl. 11:5, Psalm 139:13-18, I John 3:1-2, & II Cor. 4:7-11 Too soon you left your Mother’s watery embrace, Too soon you sprung from her internal nest, Too soon the gift of you unwrapped… And yet, sweet child, you were on time. On time to tell of Cradling Palm and Giver of your name, On time to force to trembling knees witness of unseasoned clay, On time to wish our pulse and breath into your fragile frame… On time, sweet child, on time. And what of tomorrows – yours and ours? Of dreams long held and dreams unspun? What of the Promise with which you came? The Promise lives, the Promise waits, To enfold you in His strong embrace. From distant worlds you arrived on time To a place prepared you shall return, in time. And of the interval inbetween? And through each eternal spring? You’ll share our hearts, our love, our faith, O precious child, who came on time.	Heaven's Very Special Child Author Unknown A meeting was held quite far from Earth. "It's time again for another birth," said the angels to the Lord above. "This special child will need much love, His progress may seem very slow, Accomplishments he may not show And He'll require extra care From the folks he meets way down there. He may not run or laugh or play; His thoughts may seem quite far away. In many ways he won't adapt, And he'll be known as handicapped. So let's be careful where he's sent, We want his life to be content. Please, Lord, find parents who will do a special job for You. They will not realize right away The leading role they're asked to play But with this child sent from above Comes stronger faith and richer love. And soon they'll know the privilege given In caring for this gift from Heaven Their precious charge, so meek and mild Is Heaven's very special child.
A Child is Born By Charlene Trombley A child is born with such delight an angel among us has come to light. The challenges he faces are not like the rest so he tries and he tries to do his very best. He may look a little different, some may say walk a little funny in his own special way. His speech may not be clear and even not there but his eyes have the answers we all can hear. His legs may be bent with braces and all or he may use a walker to prevent a fall. He may stare in a distance at nothing at all but in his mind, he sees it all. A child is born with such delight a gift from God, a shining light. Thanks to everyone and their teams from volunteers to sponsers, and in between. My child will thrive in the world we know from his very first step till the time hes old. A child is born with such delight an angel among us has come to light.	A Gift From God By Dianne Brown At first glance you were so small I hardy saw a baby at all, with tubes and wires a frightening sight but you were in for a big fight. Not even two pounds just skin and bones, Your body so small with problems so big, but you fought hard and continued to grow. So many fears So many tears Precious child you are home today I love you dear, more than words can say. A miracle baby A gift from God. You showed the world You showed us all.
Beautiful Baby Boy By Janice Kennedy, RNC It's dark outside Everyone is in bed Except the nurses Who keep the babies fed The NICU is quiet The babies asleep Tucked in their blankets They make not a peep In the midst of the silence An urgent call comes A baby is born too early The calmness now fades Call for the ambulance And the RT The nurse is already here We must hurry We arrive in the nursery Where the tiny baby lays He's way too little He shouldnt be here for days He struggles to breath He gives it all he's got He's just not ready He needs help alot His mom and dad are scared This isn't how it should be This day is so frightening Shouldn't it be happy? He gets a tube Not one, but more One will help him breath What about the other four He looks so small and tiny All surrounded by the wires But given some time and love He'll get better and be a cryer In the NICU nursery He stays a long, long time His parents come everyday The moniters all loudly chime It seems so slow The progress he makes But day by day he grows He's getting fat, for goodness sake One day the nurse makes a call His parents have been waiting for Bring his carseat and his clothes To replace the gown he wore Can it be real, Can it be so Can this be the day He's had such a journey Now it seems He's on the way Out the front door And into the car Can you believe He has come this far Into the house Show him the room That a few months before Was filled with such gloom Now it shines With love and joy Cause baby's come home WHAT A BEAUTIFUL BOY!!!	You Can't Imagine By Kerry Bone You can't imagine the fear in your heart When the contractions won't stop, even with meds And to hold off delivery You'll be confined to a bed. Can you imagine just what it's like When plans for your new life Are sliced from your heart With the sharpest of knives? And what does it feel like, You wonder aloud, To feel like your world Is under a black cloud? In your wildest of dreams This would never occur. Did I cause this to happen? Something you'll never know. As you're raced across town By maternity transport You search in their eyes for some kind of support. And every last person says they will pray, But not even your OB knows what to say. Taken so quickly, Moved through so fast, Who knew that this pregnancy Was just not meant to last? In a rush of bright lights The OR doctors a swirl, In the darkest of nights, Comes my babe to the world. You give out a loud cry And you're rushed through the door. I guess we're too stunned For our tears just don't come. The next several hours Are just a big blur. For all of my troubles, I have nothing to show. In the wee hours They push me upstairs, To see my mere tot, That was born on a prayer. You can't imagine The joy that I feel To look into your face And know you are real. Your dad and I both Approach your new bed, And look at our fighter With wires from foot up to head. As I reach out my finger To give yours a test, I ask - will you make it? You squeeze back - I'll do my best. Can you imagine just what it is like To lay in your bed clutching only a photo, Able to do Absolutely nothing at all? I wish I could help you My poor little sprite To give you the ability To last through the night. But then at that moment I see it's not true. I can pray to my Lord. He'll know just what to do. For I know in His plans He sees what is best. He knows what you can handle And will give you no less. Try to imagine Your heart as it breaks. When you leave to go home Your son in his warmer, fragile and alone. Having held him just once, But that once was enough To know that his fight Would be strengthened with love. And so the day starts, But seems never to end. Until you are with him Near your babe once again. The days grow in number And closer you grow. As your baby progresses, Faith you do know. But still there are the days With the setbacks so large. You wonder if this babe Will ever be home in your arms. You must trust that there's always A plan that we follow. So you celebrate the success And weep at the sorrow. And you watch "normal" moms Your heart feels like lead. As they hold their newborns Just like you had read. But for you it is different. It can't be the same. Instead call it a blessing, "Miracle" is his name. What must it be like? Just think for a minute, When the days number months. This life - how do you live it? Somewhere deep inside You grow stronger, too. Gathering strength from your baby, Who longs to be with you. Slowly you come to accept All you could not change. You spirit, it heals. Your heart no longer is drained. It's all right this new life Started differently than most. You entered a new world, With your child as the host. And these days, they will fade, Just good feelings remain. Like the love you received On those darkest of days. Consider yourself blessed, For a gift was your babe. Who brightened those walls In his earliest of days. He brought you to friends You would never have met. And gave you a family, You can't ever forget. You can never imagine The heartbeats I feel When I look at my son, And know he is real. The chills that run through me, With each breath he can breathe. The warmth in my arms When he cuddles and feeds. The tears in my eyes Because you stayed with me, My sweet little Ty. And though words try to express All we've been through, Imagination just doesn't come close, To experiencing a true miracle - or two.
Preemie Cherubs By Janice Kennedy, RNC Preemie cherubs are angels sent from above, sent early to earth on a mission of love. They help us remember what life really means, not cars, not houses, or other expensive things. They remind us of dreams for peace in our life and bring together husband and wife, fathers and mothers and daughters and sons. Leaving in the past any hurts that we've done. They remind us our touch can be used for good. To heal a small life when nothing else could. Some angels only come to stay for a while, to touch our hearts and make us smile. They go back to the Father, their job here complete. The world's not the same, it's a little more sweet.
Jeffrey’s Poem By Garrison Keillor When I first saw you, kid, you were tiny and thin And slimy and red and your head was mushed in. I says to your mother, ‘He looks kind of sloppy, And two pounds four ounces ain’t big for a crappie.’ But something about you, the look in your eyes, Said you fully intended to grow to full size. They slapped your backside and let you cry, And I said, ‘We will keep him, at least we shall try.’ Some babies are born in nine months, by the clock. Some babies are born, and they sit up and talk. Some babies are born, and no doctor is there. But some babies come in on a wing and a prayer. Poor little fetus as big as your hand. Poor little fish thrown up on dry land. Who came in late April though he had ‘til July, Too small to live and too precious to die. They slipped you downstairs to the big Neonatal Intensive Care Unit’s computerized cradle And attached you to wires and stuck you with tubes Monitored closely by digital cubes. And thanks to the latest neonatal therapuesis And regular basting with greases from gooses And hot chicken soup intravenously fed You did not fade away, you grew up instead. We’ll always remember the months that you spent With tubes in your head in the oxygen tent And the mask on your face, the wires attached, Sweet little baby who was only half hatched. I’m sure you’ll grow up and mature and extend To six feet six inches and become a tight end, But I’ll always remember each doctor and nurse in The NICU who helped make you a person, The kid who crash landed, who was carried away, Who survived it, this bundle we bring home today.
A Preemie Grows Up By Sue Kinney Twelve years ago today, my daughter's head fit in the palm of my hand. A rolled up washcloth served as a backrest for her 12-inch long body. Twelve years ago today, I wondered how such a small baby could possibly survive. Twelve years ago today, I wondered if my daughter would ever breathe on her own. Twelve years ago today, I wondered if my daughter would be alive in twelve hours. Yesterday, I bought my twelve year old daughter a new bra because the old ones were too small. Yesterday, I sat and played the piano while my twelve year old daughter played her flute solo. Yesterday, I sat and listened while my twelve year old daughter whispered about the boy she liked. Twelve years ago, today I cried tears of desolation that my body had rejected my first born. That my baby had to suffer so much. Today, I cry tears of joy that my daughter is beautiful, healthy, alive. And that my baby has brought so much joy to so many people. Especially me. Used with permission from Sue Kinney.
Dark Empty Pit Lynette Marie Stokes The alarms go off, strange sights and sounds, You are so sick, so tiny, so tiny. I ask the nurse if I can have you in my arms, But you are too sick, too tiny, too tiny. They say you won't live, the odds are against you, I can't understand what they say, they don't even know you. I weep in my hands, my head hanging low, How will I possibly ever let you go? They come in the night to speak of choices, for one of you is passing, an angel rejoices. I cannot rejoice, my heart is too sad, Anger wells up, swells up and I only feel mad! Just when I thought the path was clear, It would seem I would shed yet another tear. Away to heaven you've gone, another grave, Your sister is next and unable to be saved. Three angels later and I am alone, No one to love, to rock, or to hug. The emptiness I feel is too much to bear, I am a dark empty pit, I no longer care. Copyright ©2001 Lynette Stokes	To Realize Author Unknown To realize the value of ten years: Ask a newly divorced couple. To realize the value of four years: Ask two, now single, high school sweethearts. To realize the value of one year: Ask a student who has failed a final exam. To realize the value of nine months: Ask a mother who has given birth to a still born. To realize the value of one month: Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby. To realize the value of one week: Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize the value of one hour: Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet. To realize the value of one minute: Ask a person who missed the train, bus or plane. To realize the value of one second: Ask a person who survived an accident. To realize the value of one millisecond: Ask the person who has won the silver medal in Olympics. Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.

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