Realization is arriving

I was driving around town running errands yesterday. My tired eyes wandered while at a stop light and I caught myself staring at the NICU bracelets I will be wearing for the next 70 days. I let out a sigh. The reminder that my sons are unable to come home brought on a familiar sadness that has been ever present the past week -- and a feeling like hopeless panic. It breaks my heart to see the boys behind glass, hooked up with wires and tubes to machines, alone, away from each other, away from me, away from their mother.

But my attention focused on what the bracelets have typed on them.

Father

And then the way the bracelets were twisted on my wrist.

Two of them

I'm not wearing these bracelets because my sons are stuck in the NICU.

No, I'm wearing them because I am the incredibly blessed father of twin boys.

7 days down, 70 days left. Let's go!