A Duggar Surprise

Last December news broke that Michelle Duggar, matriarch of the 19 Kids and Counting show on TLC, had lost her baby to miscarriage. She was carrying her 20th child by the shows count. She had previously miscarried a baby they named Caleb many years ago however, just as society would have it, he was never included in the kid count.

On Dec 8, 2011 the family announced that while attending an ultrasound appointment and hoping to learn the gender of their new baby they were shocked to find out their baby no longer had a heartbeat. I know there are MANY of you that can relate to this experience. I can only imagine that hearing those words will echo in your head for the rest of your life. You come to this appt with such anticipation never expecting to hear that your precious child has passed away while still inside your tummy. Heart-wrenching!!! It was determined through medical and family records that the baby passed on December 2nd. Michelle and Jim Bob went home to tell the family that their sibling was gone and to let her body miscarry the baby naturally.

On December 11, 2011 at 11:46pm Jubilee Shalom Duggar was stillborn weighing 4oz and 6cm in length.

I decided to send the family a tiny hat made of red and green in memory of their sweet Jubilee. I picked out a card and sent the hat to them in mid-December. Well, this past Tuesday I received a postcard in the mail from the Duggar family. WHAT?! I couldn't believe it. I very nice hand-written card to thank me for the gift I sent to them. Ok, well

1: glad they got it in the first place (I can only imagine the amount of mail they received) and 

2: floored that they took the time to go through each card/package and write a personal note of thanks (again I can only imagine the amount of mail they received)

The back of the postcard reads,

"Stephanie, Thank you for the little hat you sent! It was sweet of you to think of us! May the Lord bless you! With gratefulness, The Duggars"

Strange coincidence also because Tuesday was the airing of their show that focused on their loss of Jubilee from finding out she was gone to planning and having her memorial service and funeral. We had been talking about it all day on the FB page and then to get this card in the mail the same day was a pleasant surprise. I only wish there was not a reason for that little hat, or that final show, or even that card at all. I wish little Jubilee was still in her Mommy's tummy about to be born anytime now as she was due in April. 

Praying that Michelle and the rest of the Duggar family has a peaceful and gentle next few weeks as they approach Jubilee's due date.