The last touch…the last thumb squeeze...the last subtle smile…the last eye-to-eye knowing of mother and infant. Caleb Emmanuel Ford entered our lives for such a brief time: six months, eleven days and just over three hours; yet, we are eternally grateful to God for every fleeting moment of his precious life here on earth.

This picture truly is worth 1000 words. You see, most people would look at this picture and comment on how cute the outfit may be. However, when I look at this picture I see a journey that comes full circle.

When I was told my daughter was going to the NICU, I was terrified. Terrified, not only for her health concerns, but also because of a now proven misconception that the NICU was a place of cold, clinical, strict procedure. A place focused on care - not compassion. I was wrong. I am sorry.

There is a relatively common saying, “any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy.” While I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment of the phrase, I think it diminishes the term father.

The following content has been taken from the personal journal of Dekeshia Alexander. Here is a glimpse into the heart of an expectant mom.

The following content has been taken from the personal journal of Dekeshia Alexander.

After my daughter was born sleeping, I struggled to find the right way to honor her memory. I scoured the internet for ideas and came up empty. I wanted something for our family to honor her, not just me.

I started it a few months ago after going through our third miscarriage last year. The first two miscarriages were pretty early on, but that last one was a lot longer. I knew it was a girl. We didn’t actually “know”, but...I knew. You moms know what I’m talking about.

As a young child, I was hit by a truck, left in a coma and not expected to survive. The doctors told my parents that I would not survive. My mom had other ideas and let's just say, she stood on the Word of God! She spoke scripture over me saying “He shall live and not die!” (John 11:25) Although the doctors counted me dead, God had other plans!

Dec 2009, we found out we were pregnant with our first. We had been talking about starting a family, but did not know it would happen as quick as it did. We were both shocked and excited all at the same moment.

The call. The dreaded call. The call from the NICU that your precious, beloved child is not doing well and you need to get to the hospital ASAP! This was our nightmarish reality 17 years ago…November 15, 2002.

When I was in the hospital delivering our daughter, many worries entered my thoughts; could I get pregnant again? should I? Is God punishing me? Will our family be able to grow?

I remember my first Mother’s Day after my stillborn daughter was delivered. It had been months since I held her lifeless body in the hospital. God had already given me a sweet boy to cuddle and make me a mom years prior, but that Sunday was terrible.

I don’t think there is anyone right now who isn’t missing being with others. Even those of us who are introverted are struggling. The real sickness going around is cabin fever!

Oh, Saturday! I think if we were still into writing Epic Greek Poems or Shakespearean sonnets, I could fill pages with how amazing you are. For most, Saturday is the day of recovery from a full week of work. No more 9 to 5 in the office. No suits, no shirts, no problems! We can spend the day in relative leisure. However, I have recently been given new insight into Saturday.