Earlier this year, we began a truly bittersweet journey when our son Elijah came into this world about three and one half months earlier than expected. At only two pounds two ounces, we were emotionally torn between the joy of having our first child and the concern over the prognosis and journey awaiting this new, tiny life. This experience was not something we were prepared for; in fact, it is unlikely that anyone can really prepare for the uncertainty that accompanies a sick child. Yet, as difficult as our journey has been at times, it has been made immensely more bearable through the kindness of friends, family and, surprisingly to us, total strangers.

The unexpected kindness began only moments after our son's birth when we were introduced to a nurse in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at the University of Utah Medical Center, our son’s home for first eighty-seven days of his life. From Eli’s earliest days of life, our special nurse was unwilling to let our son experience a "typical" stay in the hospital. She spent her time off sewing linens so that he would have new, soft blankets on which to lay his tiny little head. She hardly knew our son or us and yet she humbly went that extra mile each day to help make the experience for all three of us even the slightest bit more comfortable.

fter our initial hospital encounter with the kindness of a stranger, we found ourselves continually amazed at the impact our son’s story had on countless people, many of whom, to this day, we have never met nor likely will. One such act came from a 95-year-old blind woman, whom upon hearing our story, felt she had to do something for our little angel. So, she knitted a tiny pair of booties and a hat to keep him warm. Another woman whom we have also never met, sent us boxes of clothes and toys that her own children had outgrown, simply because our son's struggle for life had touched her in heart. Our son has also been the subject of two homilies in our local church, which have resulted in hundreds of strangers inquiring about and praying for our son on a daily basis. Seeing how Eli has progressed we can honestly say, don't ever underestimate the power of prayer.

With each passing day our son continues to grow and become stronger and healthier. As the tubes and monitors are removed from his fragile body, the doctors continue to offer positive feedback and an encouraging prognosis.

With Eli’s physical growth, we seem to experience an equally powerful spiritual growth, as the acts of kindness continue to pour forth. It is often said that a parent can learn as much from a child as the child can from a parent – what we have learned from Eli is the tremendous power of kind acts. As with any child, Eli has touched our lives in an indescribable way and the soul graffiti that accompanied his birth will fill us with emotion for a long time ahead.

After a turbulent three months in the hospital, Eli is home with us now and we are enjoying our lives as a new, very happy, family. But we will never, ever forget all of those who brought smiles to our faces with their simple, unprovoked acts of kindness. Thank you to you all!