• DONATE
  • FIND YOUR OMD
  • REPORT CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT
    • ES
    • RU
    • ZH
Office Moms & Dads
  • ABOUT
    • OUR MISSION, VISION & VALUES
    • OUR HISTORY
    • OUR TEAM
    • OUR BOARD
    • OUR SPONSORS
    • FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    • LOCATIONS
  • WAYS TO GIVE
    • DONATE NOW
    • GIVE MONTHLY
    • BECOME A SPONSOR
    • BRAND PARTNERSHIP
    • FUNDRAISE FOR OMD
    • OTHER WAYS TO HELP
  • VOLUNTEER
  • FAQ
  • CONNECT
    • CONTACT US
    • STORIES
    • BLOG
    • IN THE NEWS
    • MEDIA POLICY
  • NEWSLETTERS
    • SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAILS
  • STAY UPDATED!
  • COVID-19 RESPONSE
  • ABOUT
    • OUR MISSION, VISION & VALUES
    • OUR HISTORY
    • OUR TEAM
    • OUR BOARD
    • OUR SPONSORS
    • FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    • LOCATIONS
  • WAYS TO GIVE
    • DONATE NOW
    • GIVE MONTHLY
    • BECOME A SPONSOR
    • BRAND PARTNERSHIP
    • FUNDRAISE FOR OMD
    • OTHER WAYS TO HELP
  • VOLUNTEER
  • FAQ
  • CONNECT
    • CONTACT US
    • STORIES
    • BLOG
    • IN THE NEWS
    • MEDIA POLICY
  • NEWSLETTERS
    • SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAILS
  • STAY UPDATED!
  • COVID-19 RESPONSE

Heart & Soul: The health benefits of holding babies

February 5, 2020 In All Posts, Blog, In the News

Heart & SoulHeart-mothers around the world wonder what our children’s very first hours, days or years were like before we found each other. Three of my babies were removed from their belly-mothers at birth, each spent time in the NICU, then formally entered foster care after a few weeks of shelter care. While that seems like a pretty tight timeline, there are a million gaps in their stories. I have so many questions.

Who crocheted the blankie that went with him to the women’s shelter that first night?

….

Who held her shuddering body as she came down off the cocaine?

….

Who hummed softly, patiently, while his neurons struggled to understand this bright new overstimulating world?

Whoever held my babies, did you wonder how he would grow up, or who his parents would be?  Did you assume she would be another statistic, or did you have a feeling she would beat the odds?  Did you pray for my babies in those quiet moments of uncertainty?

This week I had the great honor of receiving an email from one of our volunteers.  She had found herself holding an 8 day old baby for a few hours at the child welfare office, feeling all the feels that come with that experience – joy, fullness, sadness, helplessness, wonderment and despair – all very much at once.  So she did what came naturally to her: she prayed for him. And then she asked all of her friends to pray for him too.  

This little boy didn’t get a newborn photo shoot, a baby shower or a Congratulations balloon, but he got something pretty amazing instead. He received a blessing spoken over his life by an entire community of strangers.

I like to think that my babies received that too. I like to think that whoever passed him off to the shelter supervisor kissed his forehead first; and whoever swaddled her flailing arms noticed how strong she was; and whoever held him against their heart prayed feverishly for him.  

When I heard this volunteer’s story, I couldn’t help but reach out to thank her personally – on behalf of his belly-momma and perhaps his future heart-momma – for giving him the gift of her heart and soul that day.  And to the selfless people who gave their heart and souls to my babies in those crucial newborn hours, I say thank you. 

I wish you could see them now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Latest Posts

  • The Essential Work of Social Work
  • Union Bulletin: Volunteers Help Foster Children Thrive in Walla Walla, Washington
  • February OMD Newsletter
  • The Universe Inside Her Skin
  • January OMD Newsletter

Categories

Search Posts

NON-DISCRIMINATION

It is the policy of OMD not to discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, age, sensory, mental, or physical ability, heritage, ancestry, national origin, political ideology, religion, or creed... Read more

DISCLAIMER

OMD is a separate entity from the Child Welfare Agencies and any affiliates it serves, including but not limited to DCYF, IDHW, FACS and OCOC… Read more

 

All content © Office Moms & Dads. All rights reserved.   |   Privacy Policy

CONTACT US

  806 Main Street, Vancouver, Washington 98660 USA
  Send us an email
Resources Login
%d bloggers like this: