Ash Wednesday Without the NICU.

Today is Ash Wednesday.

Last year, Ash Wednesday was March 9.  We had a five day old baby girl, four days post-op, and were essentially living our lives in the NICU.   I was five days out from a c-section, and was still struggling to walk through the long hospital corridors.

We attended an Ash Wednesday service at the hospital.  We washed the ashes off our foreheads soon after the service, because we thought we should avoid tracking a bunch of ashes into the NICU.

Today, I did some reading about the Ash Wednesday service, and this description stood out:  Closing the service, "a declaration of grace is used, coupled with a plea for mercy."

Grace and mercy.  Ellie is such a demonstration of grace.  She gives us love in abundance.   

Tonight, we'll attend an Ash Wednesday service at our own church.  Our baby will be in our arms trying to escape our arms to greet fellow parishioners instead of hooked up to wires in a hospital incubator.  While Lent is the season of repentance, I'm welcoming this Lenten season with great joy.

(Ellie is the most serious thumb-sucker ever.)

("Hey Mom, I can feel my second tooth comin' in with my tongue!")

PS. March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day.  With a couple of friends, I'm planning to host a blog "Link Up" where other bloggers who talk about Down syndrome can share their posts for that day.  Please start spreading the word so we can get a great group of bloggers together to share.

PS #2.  I have an awesome post planned for later this week.  Stay tuned.

PS #3.  If you haven't entered Ellie's birthday giveaway yet, hop on over to this post and comment for a chance to win some sweet prizes from some sweet vendors!