February 29 - A day of life and death

February 29th. A day that only occurs once every four years. A day of life and death.

My dad was honest, selfless, and he loved his family with all his heart. After spending two weeks in the hospital with end stage Alzheimer's, he picked February 29, 2016 to leave us as I knew he would. Three days before he passed I told my daughter he was going to go on the 29th because, "he doesn't want us to hurt like this every year". Sure enough, on the morning of February 29, he passed. He was surrounded by loved ones as he drew his last breath.

The years passed and the hurt was there, but since the actual day was not there, it would be March 1 before I realized another year had passed without him.

February 29, 2020. My daughter had been pregnant with fraternal twin girls. Baby A was lost in January at 21 weeks. Baby B wasn't supposed to be born until May. But it seems like Daddy wanted us to have something else to think about on that dreaded day of February 29. My granddaughter was born at 4:55 am, February 29, 2020. At a wee 2 pounds, 10 ounces, she has such fight in her, it's amazing. They took her breathing tube out yesterday and she's already breathing on her own with oxygen help. She gained 4.5 ounces in one day. She's so very teeny tiny. She was born at just 28 weeks. She already has a headful of brown hair - no bald babies in this family. Her tiny hands are about the size of my big toe, fingers and all.

So, it's been a roller coaster these past few days. Also, February 28th was my husband's first day back to work after being out since November with a broken kneecap. We were really hoping to get caught back up financially before the baby came.

If you are one who prays, please pray for my granddaughter. If you are not, good thoughts are just as welcome.

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Comments

edg's picture

Here's hoping that 2020 proves to be a turnaround year and things get better and better. Your granddaughter sounds amazing.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Granma's picture

That the tiny one one grows and thrives.

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Lookout's picture

A friend up the valley is a nurse in the preemie ward. I hope there is someone like her looking after your grand daughter. They have amazing stories about pre-mature babies growing and thriving. Here's hoping your grandkid's story is like that.

Wishing you and yours all the best!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Anja Geitz's picture

I don't pray but I chant, and I'd be happy to put her name on a card and place it near my altar.

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

snoopydawg's picture

Thanks for sharing it. Well wishes to the grand baby, your daughter and to you to on thoughts of your father's passing. Life and death are so entwined and this shows just that.

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Jen's picture

The song that's been in my head for the past 3 days...
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRIbf6JqkNc]

Don't you cry tonight
I still love you baby
Don't you cry tonight
Don't you cry tonight
There's a heaven above you baby
And don't you cry tonight

Thank you all for the comments. Forgive me if I don't respond to everyone individually. I've got to get ready to go see the precious little one.

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Is it great yet?

mimi's picture

something that gave me a feeling of deep happiness/gratefulnees and it made me completely at ease with life as a whole. Something about it, is just 'meant to be', I think.

I kinda never understood why from the moment I knew I was pregnant I smiled and knew I could never abort. I am glad it is that way. What it exactly is, remains a mystery for me.

As it was a mystery to me that I got ballistic at the nurse, who pulled away the cradle of my newborn the first day after having given birth. How dare she took my baby away...
my irrational feelings were perfectly logic to me. Smile

Wishing you all happiness with your daughter and granddaugther. I pray, sometimes, so ... and I imagine how you tickle the little feet of your grandbaby. Happy memories. Thanks for sharing. Smile

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PriceRip's picture

          sounds so trite, particularly now nine years later, and my granddaughter is thriving.

          I think of and thank her pediatric cardiologists frequently.

          The pain of those first days will never go away, they become part of you. I do hope you get to travel the positive path as I have.

Robert I. Price

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My good friend's daughter was about as premature as your granddaughter, if it helps, she's now 13 and doing great. 13, my how time flies.

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Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur

travelerxxx's picture

Eleven and a half years ago, I was at work somewhere along the Gulf of Mexico when I got a frantic late night phone call from my wife. She had been at her daughter's place here in Houston. Daughter was pregnant at the time. Evidently, while my wife was there, my step-daughter had gone into severe toxic shock. She was taken to the ER via ambulance, where they decided that in order to save both mom and baby, the little one would have to come into our world much sooner than normal.

Pretty much what you've described. Weight about the same. So tiny it was hard to believe. Yet, there she was.

These days mom is fine, and our granddaughter is too. I remember how on edge we all were for what seemed to be a very long stretch in the premie ward, etc. The care that's available now is a blessing for sure. Your little one will be a blessing, too ... and not just every four years.

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