So Grateful

As I sit here and look back at the last month or so I feel so blessed. This is the first time that I have experienced death or the possibility of death.

About a month ago one of my cousins (who is 2 weeks older than me) had a heart attack and we almost lost him. I didn't find out about it until he was in surgery and out of danger for the most part...but it was so strange to see how easily he could have been gone.

A few weeks ago my grandpa passed away. Its been expected for quite some time, and quite frankly we were surprised that he hung on as long as he did...but in spite of the fact that we knew it was close...it didn't stop the shock from setting in.

Not long after the funeral I found out that we were on the verge of losing another one of my cousins (on the other side of my family). She is 22 and expecting their first little one. As the baby has been growing her bowels became twisted and circulation to them was cut off. A few months ago when she started experiencing pain it was dismissed by her doctors as natural pregnancy pains and the situation got out of control. It has only been in the last few days (following multiple surgeries, a chemically induced coma, and plenty of unforeseen post-op complications) that we can say with some confidence that she and their little girl will both make it.

And then there is me... healthy and full-term in a pregnancy that has had no complications--not even a cold, expecting one of the most active and (from all that we can tell) healthy little girls, with a husband who is healthy and safe (not to mention as close to perfect as they come). How did I get so lucky?