What a ONE-derful year! How you can celebrate Eden's birthday with us!

I can't believe our baby is almost ONE YEAR! old! March is around the corner and we are in full party-planning mode! This year flew by. Eden has truly lived up to her Xhosa name, Yolisa, which means "to bring joy." She has brought joy to us no matter the circumstances. She is happy all the time, even when sick. She has the sweetest smile and eyes that seem to reflect an "old soul." We have loved hearing stories of people seeing her pictures on social media and having their spirits lifted by her.


We are going to have a braai to celebrate the one year mark and her South African heritage.


We feel so fortunate to be in a position to provide all the things she needs and everything we think that she "wants" at this time. We have also been blessed with her joyful spirit and good health. We prayed for health during this pregnancy - and continue to do so as things can change in an instant.


Some of my favorite (and hardest) nights of motherhood have been in the wee hours of the night during feedings or sickness. Luba and I have been up together during her bouts with the stomach virus or fevers. We have laid on the floor with her so that we didn't wake her after she struggled to fall asleep. We have tag-teamed holding some sort of "puke catcher" while one attempted to give her liquids praying that "this time they stay down." Luba has changed her pajamas or clothes while I cleaned up the mess. We just had an exhausting week with her having a double ear infection and then getting a stomach virus a few days later. I was out of work 3 days and neither of us slept for a week. Even when Eden slept, I was listening for any sounds of sickness so I was unable to sleep when I had the opportunity. All the while I felt so exhausted and in some instances overwhelmed, my mind always drifted to parents who do this day in and day out. While we knew the fever would pass or the antibiotic would work within a short time, we have been reminded that many parents have no promise of that and/or they have no "fix." I've been humbled knowing my feelings (tiredness, worry, discomfort, stress) could not even compare to others' reality.


One sweet face always comes to mind. When I was in junior high, my friend's little brother was diagnosed with leukemia. This was before the internet brought faces and knowledge to us at early ages. It was our first experience with childhood illness. Our innocence was robbed with one diagnosis. Natasha's little brother, Bo, lost his battle with leukemia at the young age of 7. For a small rural Mississippi town steeped in religion, it was so hard for us to make sense of his death and thus began a spiritual dialogue for some of us that would extend years beyond the funeral. Childhood cancers and illness are so unfair. No child "deserves" it and it really feels like a lottery draw. This family is wonderful. They are strong Christians and just "good people" as we say in the South. They should have been able to see Bo grow up, watch him play football on Friday nights, and see him make his life. He should have known his nieces and nephew. I'll never forget the image I have in my mind of his sweet smiling face. I'll also never forget the image of I have of his casket at the funeral. No casket should be child sized. It was my first and last funeral to attend.

Bo & Natasha

Luba and I talked about how blessed we feel as we prepared for Eden's birthday and decided that we would rather guests' and friends' resources go to helping other families. We decided upon two organizations to which we would appreciate donations be given. We chose local organizations whose impact extends beyond our community. They also in some way have some personal relevance for us.


1. St. Louis Children's Hospital
We received such excellent care here. We had to take Eden for a routine ultrasound once. As I sat in the waiting area in the imaging department, I was surrounded by children who come here regularly to be scanned. I also saw the many patients who were admitted and obviously fighting cancer being wheeled in by staff. Again, my mind drifted to Bo and to some of the kids whose journeys I was following online. We also had to bring her to the ER here to rule out dehydration after a long fever. The staff are truly amazing and have a tangible love for children. Their dedication is palpable.


2. Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House provides housing for families whose children are in nearby hospitals for treatment. Ronald McDonald House was a blessing for Bo's family years ago as he was far away from home for treatment. Since that time, I've had other friends stay at a Ronald McDonald House.


Luba and I believe in the ripple effect. It only takes a small gesture to extend far beyond our vision.


Here's how we would love for you to be part of Eden's birthday:

1. Donate to either (or both!) of these organizations. Please make donation in memory of Bo Cochran. You can click on the name of the organization and it will take you to a link to donate.
2. Share this post and create a ripple effect.
3. If you are a mama or Daddy, drop everything and hug your babies (even if your baby is 18). Go do that activity or eat at that restaurant you've been talking about for days/weeks/months/years. (Aunts/uncles/cousins/grandmas/grandpas/etc. you can do the same!) 

We look forward to sharing this birthday with you and posting pictures of the celebration!


Love,
Danielle (& Luba)