CYG - Day 22 - Place of Care/Birth

I wasn't entirely sure what to show for this day of the photo challenge.  I chose to feature the people who cared for me while I was in labor, giving birth, and after.  These people are so special.  I'm thankful that I had them surrounding me in those difficult times. 

The top picture is Arthur holding my hand and praying.  He was so strong during those first hours (always, really).  When they told us she was gone, he started taking care of me.  Even though his heart was shattered.  He called our parents.  He talked to the doctor.  He made sure I didn't completely give up on life.  He was there.  Always there.  Still is.  I don't deserve a husband like him, but I'm so grateful God gave him to me.

The middle picture is the nurses that delivered Caroline, Rose and Iris.  Rose and I have become friends since Caroline's birth.  I now help her run the support group for pregnancy and infant loss.  She also was one of the nurses that delivered Addalee, and we hope she'll be there for the birth of this little girl that I'm carrying now.  She and Iris were so gentle, compassionate, and loving.  They walked us through the process, told us what to expect.  They helped us with making funeral plans, what to bury her in, and so much more.  They were/are such blessings!

The bottom picture is just after Caroline was born.  My doctor could not have been more wonderful to us.  He prayed with us several times, even having tears in his eyes.  He spent a lot of time with us after her birth, making sure to answer any questions we had.  I love that he was holding onto our moms, Caroline's grandmothers in this picture.  And then they're holding us while we're holding little Caroline.  This picture brings up a lot of emotion for me because it's so real, so raw.  

We were blessed to have Caroline in a hospital with wonderful care for people in our situation.  Our doctor, his staff, our nurses, the nuns...each and every person was so gentle and loving.  They showed us so much grace.