The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face…

The healing of a mother's touch: Henry and Jen, Nate looking on
The healing of a mother's touch: Henry and Jen, Nate looking on

I just had to share that little Henry has improved to the point that for the first time, he could experience his mother’s touch.

Very carefully, the nurses placed the baby and all his tubes and wires into place where he really, really wanted to be 12 days ago. I can’t help but think that, at the top of an alarmingly long list of medications and sophisticated devices designed to sustain this child, this human touch is by far the best medicine he’s gotten so far.

The EEG from yesterday waits neurology interpretation until next week when the baby should be ready for the cranial MRI. Wait training, indeed.

And thank all of you who have offered prayers and comments and expressed your hopes and concerns here, to Ann and to me in person and by phone and email, and on CaringBridge–folks who in an odd way seem like family, too. It means so very much to us.

…I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the endless skies

I felt the earth move in my hand
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command

I felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
And last, till the end of time.

about the lyrics…

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fred
fred

Fred First holds masters degrees in Vertebrate Zoology and physical therapy, and has been a biology teacher and physical therapist by profession. He moved to southwest Virginia in 1975 and to Floyd County in 1997. He maintains a daily photo-blog, broadcasts essays on the Roanoke NPR station, and contributes regular columns for the Floyd Press and Roanoke's Star Sentinel. His two non-fiction books, Slow Road Home and his recent What We Hold in Our Hands, celebrate the riches that we possess in our families and communities, our natural bounty, social capital and Appalachian cultures old and new. He has served on the Jacksonville Center Board of Directors and is newly active in the Sustain Floyd organization. He lives in northeastern Floyd County on the headwaters of the Roanoke River.

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  1. I pray that little Henry continues to improve – being with his mom and feeling her heartbeat will surely help! I hope he can spend time with his mom every day. Henry was in my thoughts all day long ….

  4. What a lovely photo. it’s wonderful to see baby Henry improving slowly, you are all in our thoughts and prayers, We feel close to you all ,through our daughter Pauline, and think of Henry all day long. God Bless him, and make him well . Our very best regards. Millie and Arthur.

  6. Oh, so true, Fred…there is surely nothing more healing than a mother’s touch. What a wonderful picture! My prayers continue to go up for Henry’s healing and for strength and courage for all.

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