Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

What mixed feelings. Were these babies twins or born to different parents? I'm so sorry about Simon. That must be so hard on everyone. I like that "fighting" is in the part about Bella. Life requires fighting.

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 12-Apr-2017

They are cousins. The boy was born to my daughter, and the girl to my son.
The amazing thing was, Bella did want to live. She was active in the womb, and fought hard once she was born. She was active and squirmy, but her lungs were just too immature.

Thanks for the sweet review.
Take care,
Rhonda

Comment from Dean Kuch

Excellent

First of all, I'm so sorry to learn about the loss of little Bella, Rhonda.
You and your family have my most sincere prayers and condolences.
To loose a child, for me that is the most unthinkable type of horror there is.

I loved the choice of formatting you've chosen to write this, however--the diamante.
It does truly demonstrate the bond and connection these two will always and forever share, even though one is no longer with us.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Rhonda.
God bless,
~Dean

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 12-Apr-2017

Thank you so much for the kind and caring review, Dean.
I haven't told anyone else this part, because you're the only one I know who might understand,
but... my son and daughter-in-law delivered the baby themselves. She was born alive at home. My son, who isn't the most emotionally stable person (long story I may have told you about before) had to tie off and cut the cord under direction of 911. They kept her alive until the paramedics could get there and take over. I can't imagine a more horrific way to lose a child. Joseph said he fainted once they got there. I don't know if I could have done it. haha. I guess you do what you have to when the situation arises.
On the other hand, my daughter had a beautiful baby boy. They live in Maryland, while Joseph lives close to me. It was two weeks before I got to go see him, and it was sure nice to hold and cuddle him.

Sorry for the rant, but it just wouldn't have fit into a poem. I thought about it... opted for the kinder diamante.

God Bless you, as well,
Rhonda

reply by Dean Kuch on 12-Apr-2017

It would be a horribly traumatic experience to have to go through, Rhonda.
And, as you said, it would be very difficult to do.
I think you could have done it if you'd had to. I've been surprised sometimes at what people will resort to to survive or save the life of another.
Thank care, and God bless.
~Dean

Comment from Rlegel99

Excellent

Sorry for your loss. Poem about the loss of one twin and celebrating the life of the other. The form you have chosen works well for this piece. Thank you for sharing this piece of poetry.

 Comment Written 11-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 11-Apr-2017

Actually, they weren't siblings, but cousins. Simon was born to my daughter, and was born within a week of his due date. Bella was born to my son, and was three months early. The funny thing was, she was a fighter. She didn't live long, but she gave it all she had. She was just born too early.

Thanks for your sensitive review,
Rhonda

Comment from evesayshi

Excellent

In my opinion, such a tender and loving tribute to two very special human beings, Rhonda - one who joined the Angels, the other, who will share her divinity with us all - absolutely beautiful and sensitive...Eve

 Comment Written 11-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 11-Apr-2017

Thank you, Eve! It was a difficult poem to write, trying to give equal love and attention to the boy who lived and the girl who did not. Simon was born to my daughter, and is still growing well.

Bella was born to my son three months premature. She only lived 25 minutes, but live she did, and that left her as one of my grandchildren.

Thanks for the sweet review,
Rhonda

reply by evesayshi on 11-Apr-2017

You are so welcome, Rhonda - I apologize for my error in determining which child lived - so sorry, but hopefully, you understood what I meant...Eve

reply by the author on 11-Apr-2017

That's okay, the poem was a bit cryptic. I knew where your heart was!

reply by evesayshi on 11-Apr-2017

Thank you for your understanding and gracious response, Rhonda. I must admit, I cried, not that it excuses my mistake, but the poem was emotional and heartfelt. I did not view it at all as cryptic - it is lovely, and I was moved...Eve

reply by the author on 11-Apr-2017

Awww, thank you. I cried, too, and I guess I needed to. It's funny how people, even family members, wanted to avoid talk about Bella. I know sorrow can be hard to take, but I'd like to think I had two grandbabies born that week, and I love them both.

reply by evesayshi on 12-Apr-2017

You really are special, Rhonda - I am delighted to be in communication with you, on any level...Eve

Comment from janalma

Excellent

So sorry about your loss. It seems strange that one active baby should live and one not. Your poem is well done, I think, giving the reader insight into the earliest life of these babies. Wish it could have turned out differently for you and Simon. And his parents.

 Comment Written 11-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 11-Apr-2017

Simon and Bella were cousins, so my daughter's joy was complete with her little boy. Bella was three months premature, and was born to my son. He and his wife are having difficulty getting past the sorrow. I know time heals all wounds, and they can try again, they are both young, but for now, it's hard.

Meanwhile, my daughter is really happy!

Thanks so much for the review,
Rhonda

Comment from TheWriteTeach

Exceptional

Rhonda,

My deepest sympathies on your loss. I can't begin to imagine the pain. Your tribute poem is beautiful, heartfelt, and perfectly executed. I will remember you and your family in my prayers, to help them heal.

Suzanne

 Comment Written 11-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 11-Apr-2017

Thank you, Suzanne! It's funny how people don't want to talk to your about a premie that doesn't make it, like it's bad luck or something, but she needs a poem for her. I've tried several times to write one for each, and in the end, just linked them together.
I appreciate the six stars and the kind concern! I appreciate the prayers as well,

Take care,
Rhonda

Comment from boxergirl

Exceptional

Rhonda, so sorry to hear this sad news...so hard to balance the joy and the sadness of the two events. I hope writing this poem has brought you some peace. God bless and thanks for sharing. ((Hugs))

 Comment Written 11-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 11-Apr-2017

Thank you for the wonderful six star review. It was a wild week. First Simon was born, and we all celebrated with my daughter, and then my son's wife started having trouble and went into labor. I kept it from my daughter at first, and just said they lost the baby. After she was stabilized herself, I told her Bella had been born alive. She lived 25 minutes, but it was long enough to get a birth certificate and memories.

I kind of had to get peace before writing it, because every time I tried to write one I was too emotional to write on for either. In the end, I joined them together.

Thanks for the six stars!!
Rhonda

Comment from Teri7

Excellent

I am so sorry for your loss. This is a very well written poem about your two precious grandchildren. The one in this picture is so adorable. You used very good descriptive wording and imagery with the sweet picture! Love, Teri

 Comment Written 11-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 11-Apr-2017

Thank you, Teri! I appreciate the review and support. Simon is a beautiful child, and I didn't want to take away from his celebration by the pain of the one who didn't make it. They weren't siblings, so my daughter was able to enjoy her baby, while sympathizing with my son.

Thank you again,
Rhonda

Comment from emptypage

Exceptional

Wow. I mean, wow.

You did this so quickly. I'm surprised. And, Rhonda, it is amazing. I love the diamante. It was the perfect vehicle.

Wonderful tribute to them both. What a wonderful Grandma.

 Comment Written 11-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 11-Apr-2017

Thank you for the six stars, and for the kind remarks. More than that, you helped me find a voice for this poem. I have struggled with the idea, and I know you know that, and your story sort of brought it out for me. It's a delicate subject talking about a baby who doesn't live long, and I wanted to handle the subject with sensitivity, but she deserved a poem as much as the living child.

Thank you. You never know how your own work can help someone else.

Rhonda

Comment from kahpot

Excellent

Very well done under what must have been very hard for you a wonderful tribute and blessing in one you should be very proud well done thank you for sharing****kahpot

 Comment Written 11-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 11-Apr-2017

Thank you, Kahpot. It was a very difficult week for us. On the one hand, we celebrated with my daughter on the birth of her son, and cried with my son on the loss of his.

Take care,

Rhonda