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| | A "Light the House" Memory | |
| Jeanette Cook
(Trout Lake, Washington)
"The highlight was the nightly lighting of the holiday display on top of a tall bank downtown. Each light represented the gift of someone who cared... The lights became a symbol of generosity to those of us who were suffering..." | Above: Along with her husband, Mike, and mother, Charlotte Holcomb (from Nairobi, Kenya), Jeanette stayed from October 31, 1999 - January 3, 2000. | When I was not quite six months pregnant, a mysterious backache suddenly turned into intense abdominal pain. I was rushed to the local hospital only to find out that I required immediate transportation to Portland because the birth of my very small daughter was imminent. I was scared and confused. Why was this nightmare happening? What would I do being so far from home?
Annika Marie Cook was born on October 26, 1999. She weighed just one pound, 15 ounces. When I first saw her, I was shocked! She looked like a helpless baby bird that had fallen out of its nest. She was so tiny! And yet she was perfect! Every little detail, including her pinpoint size fingernails were whole and without flaw. I fell helplessly in love as I agonized with each breath she took. I cried each time she cried-and I soared with each tiny step of progress.
When I was discharged from the hospital a week after her birth, I was so scared to be separated from her. Our home was a two-hour drive from the hospital, and all my closest relatives lived at least half an hour away. A nurse encouraged us to consider a room at. I had never even heard of the place. But what a blessing to have such a resource when you're hurting so bad! |
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Being just a short walk from our baby seemed too good to be true. The staff always took time to talk and show their concern. I was so surprised to find volunteers who worked there because they cared-not for money. We also appreciated all the groups that brought in tasty meals for us-I was often too exhausted to cook.
As the weeks turned to months, we met many other hurting families. Some of us became very close as we shared both the victories and setbacks of our little ones. As the holidays drew near, nobody was in the mood to celebrate. Instead we were all looking for signs of hope and wishing that things were different. The staff and volunteers did their best to make the House look festive-there was even a huge tree complete with gifts for all of us and our children. But the highlight was the nightly lighting of the holiday display on top of a tall bank downtown. Each light represented the gift of someone who cared and had donated money to fund the Houses. We could see them from an outside balcony where we would gather to watch them grow into pictures. We were so grateful to everyone who donated. The lights became a symbol of generosity to those of us who were suffering.
Annika was released from the hospital two-and-a-half months after her birth. She weighed three pounds, ten ounces, and God had given her the gift of life! She's still full of energy and life. Someday I hope to take her back to the balcony at to see and remember the hurting people in the world. I want her to know how each person's generosity can mean so much. But most of all, I want her to always be grateful for the gift of life that's she's been given.
Would you like information on this year's Light the House?
Or to "buy a bulb," click on the lights below!
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