The Dress

May 15, 2013

Ever since the day we were told about Annie, I feel like I have been grasping for some element of control. There were so many things discussed when we received her diagnosis that sent me scrambling to contain the situation and keep everything within my capabilities.

We were initially told by the Prenatal Diagnostics doctor and my OBGYN that we could discuss our “options” once we were able to digest the news. Although they never came out and said it I know they were offering us the opportunity to terminate. I can’t explain why, but this was not an option for us. Annie’s fate would be the same either way, but for whatever reason this required minimal discussion between Robert and me. After discussing everything with us, it was very clear to our doctors by the nature of our questions that we were hoping and praying for a live birth, so the actual offer to terminate was never given. I will admit, however, that I understand more and more each day why some women decide to do so, and the further along I get in this pregnancy I find myself wondering at times if I knew then what I know now if I would make the same decision. Every kick is incredibly bittersweet. Every time a stranger asks when I’m due and if I know what I’m having, or makes the comment “Three girls! You all are going to have your hands full!” I feel like I die a little more inside. These are normal comments and would be welcome if my baby were healthy, but I feel like I’m lying every time I answer with a smile and don’t tell them Annie’s story. I’m human, I’m pregnant, and I’m tired, so most of the time in line at Target or dropping the girls off at school I don’t really feel like getting into it. I have tried to just listen to the Lord and be aware of when I need to tell a stranger the real deal. I just can’t deal with that multiple times a day.

It also kills me to see my daughters’ faces when I’m overwhelmed with grief and can’t hold it in. Harper will run to me and hold my face in her chubby, sticky little hands with her face twisted with concern and say “What happened, Momma? Why you cryin?” Dylan, who is more aware of what’s going on, will usually hug me, kiss my belly and tell me she’s giving Annie kisses and she loves her. Initially we told them that the doctor told us Annie was sick and we needed to pray for her every day. A few weeks ago we decided that it would be better to give them time beforehand to process and ask tough questions while we are able to answer them and not swallowed in our own grief, so we sat Dylan down and told her exactly what was going to happen. We told her that Annie’s head was broken and she probably wouldn’t be able to come home with us, but she was going to go to heaven and live with Jesus. Her beautiful and perfect response was, “that’s good, right? He’ll protect her!” I’m so proud of that little girl and her strength that surpasses her mere 4 years on this earth. The things she says to me to lift me up when I need it can only be explained by a child’s innocence and closeness with Jesus. I feel like this experience is going to shape her life in a way Robert and I would have never been able to on our own. I am praying that God will show us how to protect Dylan and Harper through this, all while living His truth.

I have scoured the internet for information about anencephaly. I searched through countless research studies for hopeful statistics on live births versus still births, because I desperately want to have a few moments with my girl. I was feeling immense amounts of pressure to go buy the perfect outfit for Annie because it would likely be the only thing she would ever wear. I could feel my anxiety level spiraling out of control. Our doctors told us that if I had any issues with preeclampsia like I had with Harper, there would be no reason to hospitalize me and try to keep me pregnant. They explained that if there was any risk at all to my health, they would recommend delivering Annie because the outcome regarding her health would not change. Although I know they are right, and whether she were to be born at 33 weeks or 39 weeks her fate will likely be the same, it goes against every instinct I have as a mother to protect my baby. I felt like I had no control over any aspect of this pregnancy and this realization was making me panic. I couldn’t stop crying, there was nothing I could do, and I was losing my mind. Then I felt like the Lord reached down and steadied my shoulders and told me to stop. He told me to be still. He told me to let go. This situation was not mine to control. I needed to let God have this, every single bit of it.

I listened, and had been still for about a week when I got an email from our marriage counselor. (That’s right, we’re not perfect.  We’ve been a few times, and I don’t think we’d still be married if we hadn’t) Linda has been such a blessing to us, and we’ve been able to keep in touch via Facebook. She knew about Annie from the initial diagnosis and had been praying for her and for us, and she sent me a message saying she had a gift for us. When we met up with her she was holding a beautifully wrapped package for Annie, but I could tell she was a little hesitant to give it to us. She told us that there were very few times in her life that she felt the Lord was telling her to do something, and this was one of those times. She said that she didn’t want to offend or upset us, but this was something she really felt that God wanted her to do. She also said that Annie felt like her own granddaughter because she had been praying for her so much, and that makes Robert and I so happy. We hugged and said goodbye, and after Rob and I got in the car I opened the gift. We both wept as we looked and saw inside that beautiful package was a perfect little white dress.

This dress may be just a dress to you. To me, it is a gift from my creator showing me that they have this. God has me, Robert, and Annie. God has CONTROL over everything. This perfect little dress showed me that if I just trust, believe, and follow, we will be taken care of. I also believe that the deliverer of this dress was chosen wisely. It came from a woman who played an important role in helping us keep our family together. I believe that even though we are in the midst of the hardest time of our lives, God was showing us that we are exactly where we need to be. I love this gift more than I can say, and I especially love that any time I’m having weakness or doubts all my husband has to do is hug me and whisper into my ear, “remember the dress.” Then I am reminded of a father’s love that is so much more powerful than death, sadness, and fear.

Being still and quiet also gave me some clarity about things. One of the things Robert and I thought of was a way to honor Annie in her death. We began to think of which charity that we could ask people to donate to in her honor in lieu of flowers. Then it hit us. What better thing to come from the loss of a child than to help another couple gain a child?! Our friends Eric and Kylie have been in the process of adoption from the Democratic Republic of Congo for some time. This process is long and expensive, so Robert & I asked them if we could help. We had planned on putting their information in Annie’s official announcement, but since I have started this blog I thought, why wait? If you would like to make a donation in Annie’s name, here is the link to their website:

http://www.gofundme.com/homesweethoma ***Update: Joah was sucessfully adopted and now lives with his family in Oklahoma. Thank you to all who helped unite this beautiful family.

Finally, this is a verse Linda was led to while praying for Annie.

Yes, you have been with me from birth;

From my mother’s womb you have cared for me.

No wonder I am always praising you!

My life is an example to many,

because you have been my strength and protection.

That is why I can never stop praising you;

I declare your glory all day long.

Psalms 71: 6-8