An expanding circle of love and care
Last Thursday, did you come across this FB post that carried sad news and an urgent request posted for a friend in need?
"May I ask a huge favour? If you are a breastfeeding mother with extra milk or know someone who is, please consider a breastmilk donation for baby Phoebe Marie O. Cabanayan, whose parents are my close personal friends. Baby Phoebe's mother, Giki Cabanayan passed away this morning due to complications and blood loss during birth via CS. Baby Phoebe survived but is now in need of donor's milk. Generous donors may please forward breastmilk donations to the Newborn Care Section of Capitol Medical Center, Quezon Ave. for Phoebe Marie Cabanayan. For coordination purposes, you may contact Jonah Malolos + 63 977 844 4550. Please also include in your prayers Giki's eternal repose, and strength and comfort for Kahlil, her bereaved husband, and Giki's bereaved parents, Benjie and Osang. Thank you and God bless you! From Ted Te."
His care and concern for his close friends quickly spread -with remarkable response of concern and prayers! Breastmilk donors quickly replied, others referred them to other donors from groups like Human Milk for Human Babies Philippines, others joined the family in prayers and love.
Friday, this happy news was shared: "Baby Phoebe's family says THANK YOU SO MUCH for 150 bags of breast milk and right now they're dealing with storage. So, they will be getting in touch with donors every two weeks, if that is alright."
Another post added: "So many have responded overwhelmed sila so they are calling a stop to milk donors for now, Sa Ligaya pa lang, am sure may year's supply na tung baby."
This drama is a testimony to the good in the hearts of our people -that there are genuine friends who will help friends in need, that there are still many who will respond to the call for help especially for babies and bereaved families, that love and concern are clearly alive in so many people!
We thank Ted for being witness and part of this beautiful drama about love and care. Ted brought back the beautiful friendship demonstrated by the four who lowered their paralyzed friend "from the roof, on a mat. Jesus saw their faith, so He said to the man, " Son, your sins are forgiven…get up, take up your mat and go home." (Mark 2:6-12)
Ted's post also started a continuing, expanding circle of love that hopefully will help to ease the pain in the hearts of Giki's husband, parents, and family. May Baby Phoebe also be embraced by this continuing circle of love and concern and may she grow up realizing how loved and cared for she is, by her mom, dad, grandparents, and others drawn in this circle of love for them.
Her story also reminds us about God's words in Matthew 18:3, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." Children are dependent on the love and concern of those around them. Babies are completely dependent on those encircling them. Children, however, are without fear and go through each day without care because they know there will be cared for and loved by those around them!
Baby Phoebe had just been born but already she and her family are sharing the profound reminder not to fear or worry and to completely be like children, totally dependent on God and those He sends with His love and care in their hearts!
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