For Maggie Wright and her husband, every day has been a struggle since their son's premature birth. They hope that little Noah, born at just over 29 weeks, will get stronger and stronger until he's ready to come home.
Of course, knowing that their son's future is uncertain, it's likely hard for the couple to get away from the NICU. Recently, though, they were able to tear themselves away from the hospital for a quiet moment at the beach and to visit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. There, they met a woman at the front desk and told her about Noah.
Their conversation would not have been as memorable if it had not been for the kindness that stunned the parents. Before they left, the clerk ran up to them and handed them a gift bag. Inside was a stuffed turtle. The center is home to a turtle named Alkie, who came to them small and weak. Now, he is big and strong, and the clerk wanted the parents to know that Noah will be just like Alkie!
We found out we were pregnant in August and we were both frightened and excited. We couldn’t believe it. It was an eventful pregnancy with quite a few scares. Our baby has always been our miracle. I came down with severe preeclampsia and got so sick so fast they had to deliver my sweet baby, Noah Robert, by emergency C-section at 29 weeks, 5 days.
They said it needed to happen to potentially save both our lives and the risks of continuing the pregnancy were too great. We were devastated and terrified, but knew we had to do what is best for our baby, whatever would give him the best chance. So Noah was born that very same day, on Wednesday, February 8, 2017. He has a long journey in the NICU, but he is a fighter, a true miracle. He is doing well for being in his situation and continues to surprise us and make us proud.
Today we decided to take a little break from everything and go to our happy place, the beach. We went to Tybee Island. [where] there is this aquarium and gift shop, Tybee Island Marine Science Center.
The lady at the front desk was very passionate about what they did there. She told us they have a sea turtle there, Alkie, who they have had since he was tiny. She started telling us about their family memberships and asked if we had children. We told her about Noah and showed her his picture. We continued our visit, looking at the animals and at the gift shop.
We were heading out the door when she rushed up to us, handing me a bag with a stuffed-animal sea turtle. She caught me off guard and said “Alkie came to us when he was tiny and weak, and now he is big and strong. Noah will get there, too.'” Little does she know how much we needed to hear this right now. Little does she know how grateful we are. Later, we realized there was a note in the bag as well, wishing Noah luck and telling him to come visit Alkie when he is old enough.
This is a human being who, at the most difficult (yet wonderful) time of our lives, reminded us that life, and people, are beautiful and kind. This is one of many stories I cannot wait to tell Noah when he gets older. How even strangers were rooting for him when they heard his story. It is something beautiful that he will get to carry with him for the rest of his life. The stuffed animal is a great reminder of her kindness. Her actions and words will never be forgotten by my husband and I. She might not have seen how important what she did was or the impact she would make. But it just goes to show how even the smallest gestures can make a huge impact. And this was no small gesture.
Please SHARE to send this mom your well-wishes and support during this difficult time, and to thank the clerk for her generosity and kindness!
