99 days

99 days goes by like the blink of an eye. Its just over three months. Three months. Just three months. Sometimes that time flies by and you wonder what happened. Sometimes that time drags on and you wonder why just why is this time going so slow? However, for one family three months was not long enough. It was a miracle that they even had those three months.

When I heard about this story I balled my eyes out. I cried and cried and cried some more. This story is truly remarkable.

A family in Arkansas had a baby boy named Eliot. He was a miracle baby born to a mother, Ginny and a father, Matt who loved him very much. The doctors said the mother would miscarry and the baby would never even be born. Well Eliot was born. Even after his birth the doctors said it was a miracle he was even alive. In the delivery room the mother of baby eliot said "oh he is crying. that means he is alive right?" Those are probably some of the most sad words I have ever heard in my life. Eliot was born with Trisomy 18. He had an underdeveloped lung and a hole in his heart. he also had DNA that placed information in every cell of his body that was faulty.

This family is extremely strong and brave. They were just so happy to have a baby and did not have time to be sad. Every day they celebrated the life of baby Eliot and photographed him. On his first month birthday there was a surprise party thrown for him. The mom and dad of adorable baby Eliot took turns throughout the day feeding him because it took an hour and a half to do so since he had to be fed through a feeding tube. Instead of feeling cursed that they had a baby that was born with these medical problems, they embraced him and learned how to care for him the best they could

on the 99th day of Eliot's life he passed away. At the funeral the family released 99 balloons to symbolize the 99 days of his life. This baby who never spoke a word to the world has ironically spoke volumes. His story stands as a message to millions. Life is too short and too precious to take for granted. This family truly cherished this gift from God. They never wasted a moment of time with Eliot. Everything good that happens in our lives is a gift.

God bless Matt and Ginny. God rest the soul of baby Eliot. may he rest in peace. May this story serve as inspiration to millions and remember to appreciate life.