Christmas came around And she couldn’t figure out why She had this underlying feeling of sadness But it’s not just at Christmas It’s birthdays Celebrations And every single milestone that follows her baby’s NICU stay. Christmas can be a time you feel forced to be happy Feel the magic And live out your childhood dreams. Just like your birth. Shattered expectations and bittersweet memories. Baby whisked away by strangers As she laid there unable to help. She hoped she would be home by her due date For the summer Or to celebrate a birthday. It’s not that it’s Christmas And it’s not that she’s not grateful It’s just a reminder of everything she missed out on. The courage it took to let go Of everything she dreamt of When seeing those two lines on a pregnancy test for the first time The picture she had in mind of what life after NICU would be like. The weather outside is frightful Has a different meaning now Every crash back into the emergency department And every time your baby struggles to breathe Is an instant reminder of how things started. Be kind to yourself this festive period whether it’s your first, second or tenth Christmas at home - it’s not what you should or could of done, it’s what you’re doing now. And same to those who may not be home in time. We are with you and the units working tirelessly to get as many families home as possible in time for Christmas 🤍 #nicu #nicumum #nicumom #nicuwarrior #niculife #lifeafternicu #nicunurse #prematurebaby #preemiesofinstagram #preemie #preemiestrong #preemiebaby #newmom #newmum