A NICU reunion

This last Sunday afternoon, I drove through a thunderstorm to draw caricatures at the NICU reunion at the USA health women & children’s hospital in Mobile.

I didn’t understand what a NICU reunion was until I got there.

All the kids who had been in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) had come back to say hello to the hospital staff and show them how far their kids had come.

Some were older kids. Many were babies who were still doing their Time in the NICU.

I got to draw a TON of cute babies! My FAVORITE!😍

There were a few that made me tear up - like the mom who wanted me to draw the oxygen taped to her baby's face because it was such an integral part of her baby's face to her that without it, it wouldn’t look like her child

This reminded me of my own daughter Grace, and a very dark time in my own life

My daughter Grace was in a NICU at different hospital. She’s had something called a complete AV Canal which was a huge open space in the middle of her heart. They likened it to a Tornado in her heart and told me that just ten years before that it would have been a death sentence.

I got to encourage a few parents - My daughter was in the NICU. She’s 22 now and has A job and is doing great.

I almost wish they’d have a reunion at her NICU in Philadelphia …

Nah. I’m grateful I never have to go back there.

Which is the whole point.

Hospitals are supposed to make you well enough so that you never have to return.

It’s irony then that so many did, just to show how far their kids had come.

Not only that but it was raining buckets and bathtubs. Later that evening I saw pictures of Mobile where I’d been driving to this event. Cars were literally floating away.

I got completely bone-chillingly soaked on my way back to the car, but it was worth it.

What a beautiful event. I’m so grateful I got to be there and give these parents and kids a memory of their special day.

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HI, my name is Kathy Buskett and I'm a professional caricature artist. I draw fast, flatterionmg and fun cartoon caricatures of all kinds of people at all kinds of events, and I sincerely love my job - and I love making people happy with my art.

If you’d like me to come draw caricatures for a party or special event, contact me now to see if your date is available!

There’s only one of me so hurry before someone else gets your date!

Ps I do discounts for nonprofits such as this hospital as well as schools, churches, armed services and more so check out my website to learn more st

Www.caricaturesbykathy.com