Reminders of the Past

“There is something beautiful about all scars of whatever nature. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed and healed, done with.” -Harry Crews

 

We all have them. Some big. Some small. Some inside. Some outside. Scars are an interesting thing- reminders of where we've been, what we've been through and how far we've come. Those we wear on the outside nakedly display to the world our past. But they also offer opportunities for conversation- an opportunity to share our own experiences with others. So why my fascination with scars today?

Every time I bathe my sweet baby boy, I can't help but look at his scars (and they are many) and remember snapshots from the days he earned them- the highs and lows of our NICU journey are represented on Pierce's body. I consider these scars symbols, which help me to remember the important things in life and a constant reminder of how fragile our lives are. His scars give us an incredible opportunity to proclaim the goodness of our Lord to any who inquire. I've watched time and time again at how God has used these very scars to bring nurses, drs, and other listeners to tears.

In a way, I'm almost glad he has them. Not only do they make him unique, they are also simple reminders of how far God has carried him (and us) throughout these past 8 months. They offer perspective. But more importantly, they offer hope. Hope for Pierce's life (in reflecting on how far God has brought him) and hope for others who are faced with similar situations ("With God all things are possible.")

And while I'm sure he'll gain more scars as he grows (he is a boy after all!), I thought it'd be neat to share with our readers (especially those who will remember praying for him while he was earning these scars) some of the marks God left behind to remind us of Pierce's journey:

Because Pierce's skin was so fragile (almost jello-like in the beginning), the leads that they placed on him to monitor his vitals did significant damage to his skin. Many people assume he had a skin graph, but this is just how it healed.

Above Pierce's belly button, off to the left, you can see his scar from the VP shunt. 

 

Under his left armpit is the scar from his PDA ligation surgery.

Another scar that resulted from underdeveloped skin.

He has a couple on his head from the VP shunt and the VAD, but because we have had significant hair growth (yeah!), I couldn't get a clear picture.

It is my prayer that as Pierce grows he will wear these scars proudly and use them as an opportunity to tell all who ask about our God's faithfulness.

Much love,
Lindsay