01/25/2026
I spoke quietly with one of my student midwives this afternoon. “It all came flooding back. Every second of the birth, drawing cord blood, holding that vial, driving to their home to give the diagnosis in person.” She replied, “I woke up crying. I stood in the sunrise and cried.”
This evening we went to a first birthday party for a baby girl whose photo display showed months one, two, three, four, five, six, and then ended at seven months. Each time I looked at it, I cried.
I watched angel baby Gracie’s mama bravely light her birthday candles. Each time she would pause and take a deep breath, before moving onto the next step in the celebration. The room was shoulder-to-shoulder with support.
I’m home now. And what is flooding back is the miracles….every step of the way in Gracie’s life, many of which were supported and orchestrated by the greater Sage community in huge and quiet ways. Bone marrow registrants, blood donation, food and drinks, moving them into a new home (including their pediatrician helping), no less than one hundred billion prayers, every spare thought of love and concern, t-shirts, keepsakes, and an army of services and labor to celebrate her life exactly how her parents envisioned.
Please remember baby Gracie and her family for forever. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) may have claimed her, but she lives in the hearts of every person who chose to know her story. Happy birthday in heaven, baby Gracie! We miss you.
