Affected

So I found this blog that I feel I must share with the world, or at least the small world reading this. Some of you may already know this guy's story, but if not, check out his blog here.

His name is Matt, a 30 year old computer guy living in LA, originally from the Twin Cities. His life has been turned upside down in both amazing and horrific ways. In March, his beautiful wife delivered their baby girl prematurely - though small, baby was and still is fine. The tragedy occurred the next day, as his wife was preparing to be wheeled down to the NICU to touch her baby for the first time. She felt lightheaded and collapsed, dying of a pulmonary embolism.

It's hard to even type that small synopsis of his story without feeling like I'm going to lose it. I don't know what it is about these people that have affected me so much. The mom was born in September 1977, just like me. They were both from Minnesota where Eric has family and has spent much of his time. They welcomed a baby daughter that they wanted so desperately. And the blood clot to her lung could've been a result of the five weeks of bedrest she had, followed by a C-section - and I've had two of those.

I don't know, it just seems so close to home for me. Then I get pissed at myself for not having this sympathy for other horrors happening around the world. I mean, if some dad were having to do it alone because his wife got shot in drive-by, for example, would I feel this pain for him? Or if a mother died in some suicide bombing somewhere across the globe, leaving behind her young daughter for someone else to raise? I mean it happens all the time. Is it possible to feel so deeply for something happening so out of your own world?

To watch the love of my life die in front of my eyes, oh Lord I can't even process it. And the thought of my little girls not knowing me, or so much worse, me not knowing them? Not ever touching their skin or seeing their smiles?

Please don't avoid his blog because it's a tear-fest. It is that, but so much more. He's a beautiful photographer and writer, open and emotional, raw but funny too. And the kid is the spitting image of her mom, which makes it even sweeter and more dear to see photos of them together. I just know in my heart that this little girl is going to have a happy and wonderful life, thanks to her sweet and doting dad.

Do yourself a favor (with Kleenex close by) and please check it out. I promise you will be glad you did. It has truly changed the way I look at my family.

on a lighter note, I despise the colors of my blog but can't figure out how to make it better. I may change the template all together. ugh. where's angela when you need her?