Esme Grace's Love

Esme Grace Emily Williams, was born on February 1, 2019. Her gestational age was only 24 weeks and 5 days, weighing just 1 lb. 10 oz. 

Three years prior our son, Jeremiah, was born at 28 weeks and spent 69 days in the NICU. That was, without a doubt, the hardest period of my life, and I struggled an immeasurable amount to mentally heal from the trauma that having a premature baby in the NICU caused me. 

This time though, I thankfully had Love for Lily and their Facebook group for NICU Moms. I immediately turned to that community of NICU moms and told them of my situation. The outpouring of support and love that these mamas showed me was incredible, I felt uplifted and seen. Between the Facebook group and the virtual support groups I have seen these moms give to each other generously, gifting countless baby items (especially items that are unique to preemies), giving recommendations for special clinics, sharing ideas for celebrating a baby’s 1st birthday or coming home anniversary (both are huge milestones for a NICU family). Moms share their experience, so that the new mom in the same situation does not feel so alone as she navigates this new and emotional course that life has presented. We have shared our innermost feelings that only other NICU parents relate to. We have leaned on each other. We have mourned together. We have celebrated milestones together. 

I do believe that these women are what made the difference for me on this 2nd NICU journey, they are what I needed to survive doing this again.

Sherrilyn Kenyon wrote, “Strength through adversity. The strongest steel is forged by the hottest fires. It is pounded and struck repeatedly… The fire gives it power and flexibility, and the blows give it strength. Those two things make it able to withstand every battle…”

The NICU is the hottest fire, and us moms are the strongest steel.

Love for Lily has fiercely stood by me through the battles, and for them I am eternally grateful.