On March 28, 2014, the Grace family welcomed a precious newborn baby into this world. Jude, born at just 32.5 weeks, was practically perfect in every way except he had bad lungs. He started his life in the NICU and had a trach placed when he was just six weeks old. After struggling to breathe for nearly two years, God gave Jude the gift of a double lung transplant for his second birthday. It seemed Jude was on the road to better health. He had a joyous laugh and was the light of the room. What an incredible blessing Jude was to everyone he met.
In September, Jude suffered a series of health setbacks. Courageously, his mama kept updating his Facebook page to continue to let all those who loved Jude know about Jude's health. With each bump in the road, I know so many people prayed Jude would recover. And like any rambunctious 3 year old, he did just that. Unfortunately, at the end of October, Jude contracted adenovirus. After bravely fighting for several weeks and having the best doctors in the world as his medical team, God called Jude home on November 14.
As my heart mourns for Jude's family, I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for sharing photos and videos of Jude. Thank you for being so grateful. Over and over again on Facebook, gratitude was expressed for Jude's lung transplant donor. Your gratitude and kindness have deeply touched me.
Moreover, I somehow feel a connection with Jude. Sixteen months ago, I developed significant breathing issues and was subsequently diagnosed with respiratory failure. In May, I received a tracheostomy and was started on invasive ventilation. I have been made acutely aware of how fragile life is and how diligent one must stay protected from infections. (I am in the midst of fighting off pneumonia, my fourth bout of it in four months.)
Although I am terribly sad Jude is no longer with us, I cannot help but feel joy knowing Jude is in heaven--a place where his lungs are perfect; a place where he can run and jump and laugh without having any breathing difficulties. So now as we celebrate Thanksgiving, I cannot help but send up many prayers of thanksgiving for you-all. I thank God for lending us Jude. I thank God for your gratitude. I thank God for giving you-all courage through so many turbulent times. I thank God for technology--for photos and videos--which will help keep Jude's memory alive. I also pray you-all find comfort and peace in the days, weeks, months and years to come. Thank you for being part of my life.
"Be worried for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds though Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
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