Little Hats for Little Heads from Big Hearts

When I was born on January 7th, 1996, my parents weren't fully prepared for my arrival. They had yet to even have a baby shower. You see, I was born 13 weeks prematurely. I weighed 2lbs and 6 3/4 oz. At the time, NICUs were still developing and are always developing with the advances in Technology. In the recent few months, I have seen a few projects that have been circled around making little hand-knitted hats, socks, and blankets for Preemies in the NICU. My grandmother is very much a better knitter than I am, but, I'm willing to learn. This is where "Little Hats for Little Heads from Big Hearts" comes in. It was for the most part, my grandmother's idea, to knit little hats for the Preemies in my area. I have visited the NICU I was accepted into when I was born. I've gone in and played the flute for them. I feel that maybe, instead if going in and playing the flute one day, I take all these little hand knitted hats around to the various NICUs in Nashville. Nashville General, Baptist, and Vanderbilt are the big three, with Vanderbilt boasting two NICUs, one of them being the best one for the southeast region.
I have made a life changing decision after I walked into Senior High Mid-State Auditions and immediately realized the probability of becoming a Professional Flute Player might be slightly slim. I realized that I want to be a NICU Nurse and somehow, still play the flute.... possibly in the NICU?
When I told my friends at UT Martin Honor Band last week that I wanted to become a Nurse, they looked at me and asked "What about you wanting to be in a Symphony?"
"I could, but it is so hard" I replied.
My Band director looked at me from across the table, "Hmm, well, I would have to say the Nursing option would be better...."
"Yeah, that's what I thought, however, I can still possibly work out something to do with music" I replied smiling with full confidence.

All in all, I am going to knit hats for Preemies and donate them to various NICUs with a little card boasting my name, my premature story, a picture of me playing the flute, and a little encouraging note I wrote once for Parents waiting every anxious moment for their child, here it is below:

This is for you, Dear Parent.
You wait in a silent prayer, know that God watches over you little bundle of joy. While they are small and shocking to imagine and may not be as planned. Just focus. Focus on the Positive. Focus on the Future you and your child will have. Birthday Parties, Teddy Bears, Monsters under the Bed, Blanket Forts, Baseball or Hair bows, Soccer Practice, Violin Lessons, Ballet Recitals, High School Graduations, Report Cards, Drivers License, their First Fender Bender, and eventually, after all your worry and fear, they will bring home your little Grandchild. You'll wonder why I've made such a long spill, but here's why.
I am a NICU Graduate. I was once like your child and my parents were once like you. So, this is for you, Dear Parents.
With Love,
A NICU Graduate.

-- Katheryn