He made a difference in all of our lives... Michael's perspective

 Michael recently had to write an essay for school and unbeknownst to me he decided to write about his brother.... I am proud to share his essay... all in his words.

My Baby Brother You Can’t See

It was June25, 2015. This is a day that is meaningful to me and also serves as a day of reflection. We had to say goodbye to my baby brother whose name was Noah, because he was too small and young to be able to live on earth. I remember thinking of all the things that he would never get the chance to do. It reminded me how thankful I should be because I get to live.

First, (backtrack a little bit) the day had started off great. It was June, 13 2020 we had been frequently visiting the hospital because my mom was about to give birth, “this is Noah your baby Brother” I can remember my mom saying. I replied with a “Mom he is really really small”. Even though it was considered premature due to the fact she was giving birth early, I did not care that I was ready to have a brother who was younger than me. My brother Gabriel would always say something like “I am going to be the first one to play baseball” this showed that he was also really happy. At night (this is when I was eight) Dreaming that Noah, Gabriel (my older brother), and I would live in a mansion together and be very rich and not have to worry about having to do daily house chores. I would brainstorm and write things that I would someday do with him like be able to Drive him to school, sneak candy up to our room, and all the other mischief that brothers would do.

During this week, there were vast amounts of different moods. During the week every new news felt like it was against Noah, I could tell that my parents were very sad and did not know what the future would bring. There was an occasional “Noah is doing the best” I just wanted to cry. My mom had signed me up for summer school which I was fine with because it would help me learn and make sure that she had someone to watch us. But the hardest thing was that all day during the summer school the only thing I could think about was if I got home and found out that he was already gone. When I did get to go to the hospital I got to see a baby fighting for his life, and he was so small and fragile. Towards the end of the week I could tell that things were not going the way that my family wanted it to go. And then on June 25 2005 I had gotten home from school and my mom was home and for a second I really confused then it hit me he had gone. Both of my parents told me “God is with him”. I ran to my room and was just a mess crying. Looking back I now realize that life is really important every day. You can see people complaining because something so small happened, sometimes this annoys me because they aren't just happy that they get to breathe and live. Maybe that one extra breath could have been a life changing moment and got Noah back to good health again. So every day I try to take account of everything I am blessed with and try hard to not complain at the little things and enjoy the wonders of life.

In conclusion, life is a blessing that some people will never get the chance to experience and therefore should be really thankful for that ability. Noah was a major part of my life that let me reflect on my mindset and change the way I think. Today my parents have made something that is called Noah's Kindness Project and every year we do 12 acts of kindness representing the 12 days that he was alive. Although I would rather have him with me knowing that because of the event of his death my family and others are able to help others for the better. To finish this off the quote that is the Noah's Kindness Project Motto is “There is no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world”.

 

Noah’s Kindness Project Kindness Packs

A month from today will be Noah’s Kindness Project!  Just like everything that 2020 has brought, this year’s event will be different as well. While we would love to have everyone together, this year it just seems to be the wise decision to participate apart.

While our friends in other areas who have been participating in Noah’s Kindness Project from afar can share with us, the act of kindness you chose to do is really up to you.  Remember there is no act too small to make a difference.  Honestly, holding a door for another person, greeting someone with a smile and a hello on your morning walk, or even picking up litter in your neighborhood… all great acts and equally appreciated.

For those who are here locally with us and would like, we have put together kindness packs to share.  These kindness packs are designed with five different activities (one for each year Noah would have been today) for you to pick up, take home and do together with your family in the safe and comforts of your home.  Here is a run down of what’s included in each of the packs:

1)       Operation Christmas Cards: Each year United Soldiers and Sailors of American gather volunteers together to write personalized Christmas Cards for our military servicemen and women serving our country.  Included in your kindness pack will be several holiday cards and we invite you to spend some time writing a personal message to our brave men and women protecting our freedom.  For more information you can visit: https://www.usasoa.org/christmas-cards-for-our-deployed-troops

2)      Kindness Stones:  One of our kids’ favorite Noah’s Kindness Project activities is the Kindness stones.  Since we’ve been home on quarantine for what feels like the entire year, we have noticed a lot of kindness stones along our paths when we take our family walks.  Coming upon them makes us smile and brings joy into our hearts.  When we talked with the kids about what to include in the NKP Kindness Packs, one of the first things they kids said was the stones.  Our kids have enjoyed finding stones of various sizes and shapes along our walks and we hope you family can enjoy decorating them with inspirational messages, words of hope and encouragement and even pictures.  Have fun and be creative.  The stones will be painted white so you can make them your own.

3)      DIY Fleece Blankets: Included in your Kindness Pack you will find material and instructions for how to make a No-Sew blanket.  Together your family can create a blanket that will be in turn gifted to a local youth shelter that cares for some of Arizona’s most deserving children.  Before becoming a mom I volunteered at a local youth shelter. The loving children there forever left an imprint in my heart and I often think about and wonder about a few of them who I truly connected with.  I know for these kids having a blanket of their own would be a gift they would truly cherish.  We hope your family will find joy in knowing you personally help create a gift that will wrap a child in warmth and care. 

4)      Care kits:  As we’ve done in the past, included in your packs will be supplies and materials to assemble a care pack for someone in need. These care packs can be shared with someone who you see who is in need.  Feel free to personalize your packs with other items if you choose.  We will share water, snacks, hand sanitizer, wipes and other items that we hope can help those in need.  Once you’ve created your packs, feel free to hand them out yourself to someone in your community who could benefit from the kind act.

5)     Cards of thanks:  Finally included in your pack will be a pack of thank you cards.  In these last few months of having our world turned upside down, we have all faced many challenges.  As much as there have been challenges, there have been just as many people stepping up and helping.  Just like Mr. Rogers would say, in challenging times, look for the helpers for they will give you hope.  We invite you think about those people who have been the helpers for you in your lives and to take a few minutes to write a card of thanks.  Maybe it’s the check out person at the grocery store, or a nurse or doctor who has helped you through an illness, a friend who reaches out just to say hi and check in, a teacher helping you navigate virtual learning for you or your child, your postman/woman or even your Amazon delivery driver.  Yes when we think about it, our lives have definitely changed since the start of 2020 and while we have had to overcome new challenges, there have definitely been those who have made it easier.  Join us as we take a moment to say thank you. 

If you are local and would like a Noah’s Kindness Project Kindness Pack please visit this link so we can reserve one for you.  The packs will be available for pick up from our home on October 1 and 2^nd.  We will communicate additional details directly. 

For those who may be celebrating with us from afar, we invite you to participate in these activities if you so choose as well. We are sorry we are unable to mail the packs at this time, but hope you will still choose to celebrate and share with us in your own special way. 

 These packs are our way of thanking you for supporting us these past five years.  Please know that losing Noah was one of the hardest things we’ve ever gone through in our lives but because of so many of you, we are able to celebrate him and his life and feel strong because of the love and kindness shared with us from you. 

While definitely not necessary or expected, if you would like to donate a preemie, newborn outfit or receiving blankets when you pick up the pack, we would gladly share it with the Banner Desert NICU as a part of the gifts shared in memory of Noah.  Again definitely not necessary. 

Finally, we want to again say thank you.  Thank you for all the ways you have helped us share kindness with others, kindness with us and love as we remember Noah.  We may never be able to fully convey how much this means to us.  We remain forever grateful.

Until next time,

Angie and Jarrett