the magical red coat...

Before our trip, I posted about the peculiar breakthrough in Asher's medical condition. A breakthrough that came about by way of a little red coat. I call it the "magical" red coat. At first I wasn't sure if it was a strange stroke of luck, a coincidence that every time I tightened the hood snug around his face, he immediately calmed down. But on our trip, this little red coat became the one surefire way to keep our Asher happy. It became our saving grace when nothing else (not even his beloved bottle) would do the trick. It actually became our little joke, whenever he was beyond inconsolable, Aaron would say, "time to break out the red coat". The red coat is also what allowed him to sleep comfortably - and entirely through each night - in his far from comfortable infant carrier. This red coat quickly become our friend.
What I love even more about this magical coat, is the story of how it landed in my possession. If you know my mom, you know that she had an eye for a bargain. She also loved to stock up on things when she found a good deal, and keep them on hand for baby shower gifts, friends' birthday presents, etc. When you're the busy mother of seven children, you always have to be thinking ahead. One particular day, as a teenager, I remember my mom walking through the front door with several bags of baby clothes. She had happened upon a really good sale, and although her "baby" was now a toddler, and naturally would not be wearing any of these fab findings, she - always thinking ahead - purchased them to have on hand as gifts. As she pulled from the bags the typical baby outfits...a pink one here...a blue there; I remember my eyes being drawn to the bright red item showing through one of the clear plastic retail bags. As she pulled out the tiny red coat, I could only think one thing...This is adorable! I must have actually been doing my thinking out loud, because the next thing I knew, she was giving it to me. She told me to tuck it away for the day that I have my own children. And so I did. For 15 years, I held on to that coat. And I'm so happy I did. Ruby was never able to wear it because it was 115 degrees here when she was finally big enough to fit into it. In my mind, the coat was always meant for Asher. It's like a little tender mercy from the Lord. A little way of letting me know that my mom's still my mom. That she will always be a part of my life. That even though she's not here...she's still here. That she's very aware of me (and my children), and the challenges we face. I think it was His little way of allowing her to continue being the mom she always was, and the grandma she always wanted to be. The one who always made everything...all better.