Sunday, March 2, 2008

Poem: The Day I Became a Heart Mother

A special thanks to Christina Davis, a member of the InterMountain Healing Hearts (based out of Utah) support group, who shared this poem for the blog. Thanks, Christina!

The Day I Became a Heart Mother

One day my world came crashing down,
I'll never be the same.
They told me that my child was sick.
I thought, "am I to blame"?
I don't think I can handle this.
I am really not that strong.
It seemed my heart was breaking.
I have loved him for so long.

I will not give up on this child.
I will listen to your advice.
I will give my child any chance.
No matter what the price.
I will learn all that I need to help my child thrive.
I'll even use that feeding tube.
My child must survive!

Will he need a lot of therapy?
Will he gain the needed weight?
Please God, help me do this.
I will accept our fate.

When the monitors beep at night, it serves as my reminder.
How many parents would love that sound.
Tomorrow I will be kinder.
As another Angel earns his wings,
I run to my child's bed.
I watch him sleep for quite a while.
I bend down and kiss his head.
I cry for the parents whose hearts have been broken.
I look to You wondering why?
Oh Lord, I just can't know your ways....no matter how I try.

And yet, I trust you hold his life, and guide us through each day.
My mind says savor each moment he's here,
but my heart begs, "PLEASE let him stay"!

From pacing the surgical waiting room, to sitting by his bed.
From wishing for a good nights sleep, to learning every med.
From wondering, "will he be alright?", to watching him reach out his hands.
With every smile my heart just melts, despite life's harsh demands.

For all who see that faded line.
I look to them and smile.
You see my child is loved so much.
I would face ANY trial.
That scar I trace with my finger (It's the door to his beautiful heart).
God must have known how much I'd love him (Just as He loved him from the start).

A heart mom is always a heart mom.
Now wise beyond her years.
For those who have angels in heaven,
Our hearts share in all of your tears.

Every day I will try and remember,
I was chosen for him (and no other).
I will always embrace that beautiful day.......
When I became a "Heart Mother".

- Author Unknown

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

This poem is perfect!! I am a heart mother and it just sums everything up (and yes I am crying). Thanks for sharing!!
-kym vierthaler
kymim@excite.com

Anonymous said...

What an amazing poem. It says it perfectly. cindy g. mommy to my angel, Xavier. HLHS/Hrt Tx

Hazel Nut said...

This is a Stephanie Husted poem. She writes the most amazing poems.

kel said...

The perfect poem, sums everything up so perfectly.i cry everytime i read this poem, stephanie is an excellent chd poet. i am a heart mother to faith, TOF. my beautiful princess <3 xxx

Anonymous said...

I LOVE IT AND AM CRYING TOO-- I AM A HEART MOM-- HUCK (TETRALOGOY OF FALLOT)- FULL REPAIR @ 108DAYS OLD ON 3-25-11-- ALMOST 1YR OLD NOW--- THRIVING AND GROWING LIKE CRAZY

Anonymous said...

Special children go to special parents . Your poem is Beautiful. I'm a TOF I'm now 46 years old. My battles where hard and long but we won!! . I too have a very special MUM. Hugs to all the Mums and Dads with Heart KIds.
God Bless and KEEP FIGHTING no matter what.
Linda.

Anonymous said...

Although we have only started down this long road, I have already felt most of the things that the author says. I know that this is a long and hard battle!!!Thank God everyday to have my sweet Jaxon (HLHS)20 days old!!!
Jax's Mom in KY

Anonymous said...

Oh my, this poem is perfect and brings tears to my eyes! I became a heart mom 33 years ago to a baby with TETRALOGOY OF FALLOT)- FULL REPAIR , and as the poem says, "A heart mom is always a heart mom." I thank the Lord still every day that he chose me to be my son's Heart Mom. He is now a man, working hard to participate in a triathlon. I love you Josh.

Anonymous said...

My daughter is 20 months old and has HLHS. This poem brought tears instantly to my eyes reading the part about begging "my mind says savor every moment but my heart begs please let him stay". I stay up many nights begging God to not take her from me. She is doing great but that thought is always there.