Rainbow Baby

I was reading comments today on Faith's Lodge's status on Facebook. The status said "Even in the toughest years, we still have moments that make us smile or give us peace and comfort. What was your favorite memory of 2010?" So I shared, "Seeing our daughter for the first time, seeing how proud her daddy was, holding her and loving her, even if it was only for two short days, those were the best memories I could ever ask for."

Then I went through and read what other people had shared, thinking I would see mostly memories of our lost babies and children. But I saw people writing about the birth of their "rainbow baby." I wasn't quite sure what to make of it, and Adam commented, "How do the know already that the kid is gay?" So I did what everyone does now when they don't know something... I Googled it. I found a post on babycenter.com that said,

'Rainbow Babies' is the understanding that the beauty of a rainbow does not negate the ravages of the storm. When a rainbow appears, it doesn't mean the storm never happened or that the family is not still dealing with its aftermath. What it means is that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds. Storm clouds may still hover but the rainbow provides a counterbalance of color, energy and hope.

So this is our rainbow baby, bringing light, joy, and hope into our lives.


*UPDATED*
After we went to Faith's Lodge, Melanie, one of the mom's we met up there, shared this poem with me.

A Different Child

A different child,
People notice
There's a special glow around you.
You grow
Surrounded by love,
Never doubting you are wanted;
Only look at the pride and joy
in your mother and father's eyes.
And if sometimes
Between the smiles
There's a trace of tears,
One day
You'll understand.
You'll understand
There was once another child
A different child
Who was in their hopes and dreams.
That child will never outgrow the baby clothes
That child will never keep them up at night
In fact, that child will never be any trouble at all.
Except sometimes, in a silent moment,
When mother and father miss so much
That different child.
May hope and love wrap you warmly
And may you learn the lesson forever
How infinitely precious
How infinitely fragile
Is this life on earth
One day, as a young man or woman
You may see another mother's tears
Another father's silent grief
Then you, and you alone
Will understand
And offer the greatest comfort.
When all hope seems lost,
You will tell them
With great compassion,
"I know how you feel.
I'm only here
Because my mother tried again.