If it were possible to go back in time and ask the parent of a preemie whether they would have thought they were capable of coping with the challenges of prematurity, many – if not most – would probably have said no way. And yet every day moms and dads deal with the realities of the NICU and the lasting impact of premature birth with strength, resilience, and grace. People looking at prematurity from the outside in often ask parents questions like “How do you manage?” and “How do you hold on to hope?” For many, the answer is simply that there is no other choice. Parents find they can do amazing things when it comes to taking care of children. Even when there seems to be no energy or emotional fortitude left, moms and dads of preemies find new reserves to draw upon.
But even the strongest parents will find they need a little pick-me-up from time to time. Many moms and dads find comfort in quotes jotted down and hung on the fridge or prettily printed and framed. Here are some of our favorites:
- A person’s a person, no matter how small. (Dr. Seuss)
- Courage is what you feel when your desire to make positive progress is greater than your fear of a negative setback.
- From the tiniest acorn, grows the mighty oak.
- We cannot always control the circumstances in our lives, but we can control our attitude toward them.
- From small beginnings come great things.
- Sometimes the smallest things take up the most space in your heart.
- On the calendar you may have been early, but in my heart you were right on time.
- A small person can cast a large shadow.
- I never knew all my hopes and dreams would come in such a small package.
- A hero isn’t always big and strong; a hero is simply one who has the strength and courage to overcome overwhelming circumstances.
- You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have.
Do you have any favorite quotes, poems, or passages that have helped you stay upbeat – or just upright – while facing the realities of premature birth head on?
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