The Moment of the Rose and the Moment of the Yew-Tree

Twelve days ago, my beautiful sister gave birth to two sweet boys, Linus Michael and Ambrose John. Arwen was just a little over thirty-four weeks along when the twins were born. Thanks to terrific medical care and her rock-star commitment to gaining weight during her pregnancy (which significantly improves outcomes for twins), the boys were both over 5.5 pounds and had good lung function at birth, which was wonderful news. We are so grateful to God for His goodness in bringing them safely thus far, and we have every reason to believe that the boys will be healthy and happy in the long term.

For right now, though, Linus and Ambrose are still in the hospital. Because of their early arrival, they’re still developing the ability to do things that full-term babies can usually do right away, like digest their food and keep their temperatures up. They can’t come home until their systems mature. Practically speaking, this means that my amazing sister is trying to recover from labor and childbirth while she and her rock-star husband Bryan care for two big kids (4 and 2) at home and advocate for two little kids in the hospital. Camilla and Blaise are trying to adjust to having two new brothers, and the twins are working hard to grow strong and healthy. They’re all tired.

We are so grateful for Linus and Ambrose and their health and progress—they are doing as well as could be expected for their gestational age. But this is a hard time. My sister and her husband have two newborns, and instead of getting to snuggle them (and change their diapers, and get up in the middle of the night to feed them) at home, they have to visit their babies in the hospital. That’s so, so sad.

I know that my sister and her family are struggling, and I know there are a lot of people who are concerned for them and wishing them well. If you are one of those people, I have an idea for you. Some of Arwen’s beautiful friends have put together a spiritual bouquet for the twins, for Arwen, and for their whole family. Would you consider clicking through and adding your prayers to the list? (I hope this goes without saying, but if you’re not a pray-er, a comment with your good wishes and kind thoughts would be so kind and so very appreciated.)

I know how much this will mean to my sister, to her husband, and to their four beautiful children. I am continually amazed by the beauty and generosity of the people we encounter on the Internet, and I am so grateful for you. Thank you.