TYLER, Texas — River Hardy, the 2024 Children's Miracle Network Miracle Child, continues to show everyone what a wonder he truly is.
He couldn't stop singing or smiling on his birthday. To celebrate turning 5 years old, River came back to where it all started -- the NICU at Christus Mother Frances Hospital.
It's where he spent the first five weeks of his life after being born premature.
"It could feel lonely at times, and then also it was, you didn't know from one day to the next how it was going to go. So it was kind of a roller coaster ride," River's mom Kyla said.
That's why she wanted to give back for his birthday.
"River has so many toys at home, so many books, things. And so in lieu of the family purchasing more things for the house, my husband and I decided that we wanted to do something for the moms in the NICU," Kyla said.
They put together these goody bags filled with things NICU moms may need this holiday season -- devotional books, tissues, socks and other essentials she would have wanted and needed back then, but didn't want to leave River's side to go get.
Kyla made her way around the NICU delivering the presents to moms just like her.
"I know there are moms in the thick of it right now, and I just want them to know that just remember to take care of themselves, and I just wanted to be able to give them a little a little something to know that we're thinking of them," she said.
Back at the birthday party, River gave out priceless presents of his own -- smiles, hugs and sweet giggles to the many nurses and doctors who cared for him.
He may still face some challenges with a cerebral palsy diagnosis, but his mom says he's such a happy child, which makes it easier to overcome those challenges.
River's so smart and already wise beyond his five years.
And there's no doubt, sweet River is a merry miracle. He brings joy to everyone around him. Through his year as the Miracle Child, Kyla says they've experienced what a gift the Children's Miracle Metwork is to them and the community -- through the lifesaving equipment and services CMN provides at Christus.
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