Rylee’s Comeback Story

An extension from the post  "A Mother's Mind Nurturing Her Babies' Souls", under the consent of the family, we want to share that Rylee is doing GREAT. She is playing sports, reading Dr. Seuss, getting ready for pre-K, and is ready to take on the world, 100% healthy.

Moreover, to symbolically represent her journey, we have created a message in which Rylee (the surviving baby) would have expressed, in a form of a letter and poem, to her sister Audrey. This is another example of how humans have extraordinary strength. 

Letter and Message:
Dear Audrey,

I was able to get out of the Nicu
I was able to make mom and dad stop feeling sad
I was able to make them happy

I am able to live life
Thank you, sis

A predestined journey
With cheer and happiness
A life’s path, walking with my bare feet
Never letting a minute of life pass by

I never could have imagined my life, moving
Admitting this is my blessing
Love is my discovered inspiration

At first,
When I came out, going straight to the Incubator, not being able to go to mommy’s arms
Anxiety permeated through me
Fighting for my life
Our parents’ tears coursed down their face, like a raging river
And I cried, knowing the past cannot be redone

Scream at the wind our parents have done
Curled up their knees, vulnerable, like the fetus we were once in
But the past cannot be redone

They have called me an inspiration
That my fight gives people faith and fortitude
That, you, my sister’s absence
Is now seen in me

But I am here, trying to learn how to cry
Learn how to open my eyes
Attempting to drink more from mommy’s milk
Learning that the baths I take last forever because of my survival
And because mommy and daddy can

My screaming is met with our parent’s acceptance
Maybe because of my existence
They say I am an extension of you, my twin sister
They say that there are two in me

But I only have two feet, and two hands
Two eyes and two ears
I miss you sis, I really do
But your sacrifice would not be in vain

As you unwrapped me from the chord, knowing that it was going to get you
I would beat life’s challenges, not allowing it to suffocate me no more
I am starting to know when people tell me
That I have two heartbeats
Mine and yours, Audrey

So when people tell me to yell
I’ll make sure I will yell for two, for you and for me
When they tell me to step hard along my path
I will make sure I leave 4 wedges, my twin sister

The past cannot be redone
But OUR future is ready to begin
I will forever love you