Some people might worry that we did not get the miracle that we all prayed for. However, when we found out that Sydney Grace had Trisomy 18, the doctors told us she would only survive minutes if any. Because of her extreme heart defects, I was hoping to be able to hold her even just once. Instead, I was able to hold her for twenty wonderful and amazing days. The doctors also thought she might never open her eyes. For some reason, that was one of the most upsetting things for me. I desperately wanted to see her eyes and my prayers were answered. I got to look into her eyes for 20 days. As she was taking her last breaths, and I was holding her, we just looked into each other eyes and it was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. So to those of you that might fear we did not get the miracle we all prayed for, I say we received the full measure of that miracle and more.
Sydney Grace has touched so many lives in her short time. Joel and I have been amazed at the number of people that have been touched by Sydney Grace. I know that I will probably never touch the number of people all over the world that our precious Sydney has in her short time.
Of course, we all search for answers as we pass through difficult times in our lives. Both Joel and I trusted in God that there was a reason for Sydney to be sick. We knew that God would not give us anything that we could not handle. I believe the reason is that Sydney Grace brought so many people together and taught people about love. I feel very privileged to be her mother. It is an honor that God chose Joel and me to be her parents.
We want to thank everyone from labor and delivery at Carteret General. They treated us so well. We had the best nurses and doctors we could ever ask for, and we can never repay them. We want to thank Dr. Rule. My heart wants to burst when I think about all the support and love he showed Sydney Grace. We want to thank Aly Dart and Hilary Brindley. They have been so supportive of our family over the past three weeks. I don’t know how we will ever repay them. We want to thank all the church families across the state. Their prayers have uplifted our family. We want thank all the people that have shown us support by visiting in person or on facebook and the blog. It has been a great comfort to receive all the encouraging messages. Finally, Joel and I want to thank all our family. They have been a source of strength for us over the past five months.
So, please do not feel sorry for us. As I said before, it is a privilege to say that we are the family of Sydney Grace Fodrie.
Lindsey
6 years ago
Sydney is indeed a miracle. I prayed all of those same prayers when we learned Johanna had Trisomy 18. And God answered every one. We're praying for your family. Much love.
ReplyDeleteI don't know you, but I have been following the story of precious Sydney Grace since I heard about her, a couple of days before she was born. This note that you wrote is awe inspiring, and shows exactly why you were chosen to bring Sydney Grace into this world. It is amazing that you have this perspective so soon, and it is such a wonderful message. I am so sorry for the sadness you must be enduring, but so happy that you were able to see, hold, enjoy and love your miracle.
ReplyDeleteRespectfully,
Kristin Kao
Thank you Lindsey for letting us be in a small way part of your lives for the past two weeks.I would be up at 5am brittish time to find out how your darling daughter was doing that is 11am your time. i would tell everyone in work all about her and everyday they asked for updates so she reached even more people than you can imagine.It has been a privledge to be let into your familys life and as you say the feelings of love have been tremendous Sydney was one very special little girl.As a mum to 3 children i would love you to give Rafe an extra tight cuddle as I cannot imagine how he is feeling. If you feel up to it im sure i speak for many others it would be lovely to see more pictures of your little angel because she was beautiful and her pictures brought a lot of happiness to us. I would like to keep in touch my e mail is kayallkerr@hotmail.co.uk thank you Kim Leadbetter
ReplyDeleteI can tell that every word you wrote was from the heart. You are an amazing mom, Lindsey. Thank you for sharing Sydney's precious moments with us.
ReplyDeleteI have been, and will always be, blessed to see the glory that God has shown through these past 3 weeks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your precious baby with us!
Lindsey, this was amazing. You are a wonderful woman and have amazing friends. Sydney was absolutely beautiful and I am glad you got to be her mother for 20 days. May God bless you, Joel and Rafe in the future.
ReplyDeleteLindsey, Thanks so much for sharing your angel. My thought is she served her purpose well. She got so many people to open up there hearts. I will continue to keep your family in my prayers. God surely has a beautiful angel with him this week.
ReplyDeleteWell said. I felt the same way when we were blessed with and then lost Timothy.
ReplyDeleteLindsey, God's Love is truly showing through you. You are a symbol of the love that God showed us through his son Jesus. To be this strong this soon after shows true Grace. May God continue to bless you and your family through this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteLindsey, I've been following your story on facebook and it wasn't until you took Sydney home that I knew how close you were, I would have loved to have met you. (we live right in Newport) You are an AMAZING Mother and your strength is so admirable that you HAVE touched all these people as well. Sydney changed my life, she changed the way I look at my two girls. We will continue to pray for your family and know that we all love Sydney so much, she will be waiting to see you again and what a WONDERFUL and amazing day that will be. Sydney will be in my toughts and my heart everyday.
ReplyDeleteYou don't know me - I was sent your blog but I just wanted to tell you that Sydney was beautiful and blessed to have you as parents. I can't imagine the grief you must feel but I pray that you always cherish those amazing days you had with her! I know you do! Praying for your family tonight!
ReplyDeleteIt's truly amazing what God can do. You are such a strong mother. I will continue to pray for you, Joel and Rafe. God bless!
ReplyDeleteIt's not true that you won't touch as many people as she did. Your strength has inspired me, and others. Not every woman could go through what you did with the dignity and grace that you did and still come out thanking the Good Lord for the time you did get to spend with her.
ReplyDeleteYou touched us just as much as your beautiful little daughter.
As the mother of a special needs child, I want to commend you, Joel and Rafe for the love you have shown Sydney Grace and for the testimony you have shared to the world. God truly did give you a miracle and He allowed you the opportunity to witness to many through the bundle of love He gave you. Your strength as amazing parents has been a testimony of God's love. Thank you for the privilege of sharing your life with us for the past 20 days. It has been an adventure that you will never forget and one that brought many of us to our knees. Many things we don't understand, but we know that God has a plan. I look into the beautiful eyes of our special daughter each day and see a miracle. There are many imperfections, but in Heaven she will be perfect. To us, she is perfect now because she is our miracle. God bless you all and know that we will continue to lift you up in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteLindsey, your blog today really touched me. I believe that God had many purposes for Sydney's life. To teach people about love and to draw people closer to Him were probably just two of the many we don't know about...yet. I know that reading about Sydney has helped me to draw closer to God, not only by praying for her and you and your family, but in trusting Him. Trust will draw you close. I was inspired by the trust you have in our awesome God and I am certain so many people saw in you something that they want. Peace, Joy, Trust, Love, Contentment. So many people do not have that and now they know where they can get it. It is through the grace and love of our savior Jesus Christ. By sharing your journey with so many people, I have no doubt that you helped bring someone (or many) into a saving knowledge and relationship with the Comforter, Healer, Miracle Worker!! THANK YOU for your ministry to so many over the last number of weeks. I am sure you will hear these words one day, "Well done good and faithful servant."
ReplyDeleteGreenville, NC
Sydney was blessed as were you by her life. Everyday she was with you will be a memory to be cherished. It has been almost 2 months since I lost my little boy to Trisomy 18 and some days it feels like a lifetime and others seem like yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThere are no words that can express the love I feel for your family. Know that she is fully healed and playing in heaven with my little boy and other T18 babies.
I pray that God gives you comfort, love, and strength during this time of mourning and rejoicing. Lean on your friends and family because that is what they are here for.
Loves and prayers,
I can't say anything that has not already been posted here. I second everything. Ya'll get parents of the century in my book. Myself and the girls have been following your blog. Niki has a new 4 month old girl and Claire turns 5 on Monday. We will miss you at the birthday party this year. Hope to see you when Joel comes back in March.
ReplyDeleteBetter to have loved and loved so completely for just 20 days than to have made a different decision and never know.
ReplyDeletePraising with you and praying for you! God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I want to thank God for blessing you with such an awesome gift. My daughter passed away when she was 19 months. She was my little angel. She is burried in Carteret Memeorial Gardens as well. I know that you will have your bad days and your good days. The thing I have found to help me is to talk about her and the memeories we shared with her. It is the hardest thing a mother every has to go thru is the lost of their child. I pray that you can stay strong but remeber when you just can't hold out anymore just give it to God. He is there when no one else is. Right now I know you probably feel like how am I going to do this? My biggest fear was forgeting the memories. But you never do. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing your story. And thank God everyday for that special gift he gave you and he gave me. They are in heaven the best place ever!!
ReplyDeleteChasity Brown
Linsey and Joel, What amazing parents you are, what strength and faith, you are an inspiration to all of us, I pray that God wraps His arms around you and your family, Sydney Grace is in heaven smiling at you and waiting for you. You don't know me, but through my son Marcus I know about your daughter, we will continue to pray for you, God bless you Elizabeth
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