“We have good times and bad; nothing in life is certain."
~ Ecclesiastes 7:14
Allison scanned the birthing room savoring
the experience . . . the coziness, the candles, the music that calmed the
tension. Everything was perfect!
They knew they’d wanted a second child. Today she was about to meet her new son. Her heart could hardly contain the excitement. This time life will change for good.
When her infant daughter had been born jaundiced 3 years
ago, she prayed that if God would make Chloe better, she’d do anything. She’d go to church; she’d donate to the poor. She just wanted Chloe healthy.
When she did get better, her appreciation was raw and genuine. But it wasn’t long before real life set in
and Allison was complaining to Tom once again about chipped Formica and how
much she wanted granite countertops.
How quickly her gratitude faded. Having a fit, healthy child makes it easy to
forget the painful memories of when they’d thought something might be seriously
wrong.
She pushed one last time and watched as a tiny little body appeared,
arms flailing, voice wailing. His eyes
bored into her soul. That was the
defining moment of her life.
Aiden was taken to the warming bed where nurses smiled uneasily
as they checked him over. Something was
wrong.
Soon the pediatrician swaddled Aiden snugly in a blanket and
handed him back to Allison. Dr. Li knelt
down next to the bed so that she could look up at Allison, not down. She smiled warmly, never taking her eyes off
the new Mom.
I need to tell you something," the doctor said.
Nothing could’ve prepared them for the words that would come
next. Dr. Li smiled again and squeezed
Allison’s hand. “The first thing I'm
going to tell you is that your son Aiden is beautiful. And perfect. But there are some features that lead me to
believe he has Down syndrome."
Time froze.
Allison cried – hard.
She’d wonder later: Did Aiden feel love? Did I tell him "happy birthday" and
smother him with happy kisses?
Then Tom smiled as his eyes welled with tears. “Aiden is one lucky little boy. We adore him already," he said scooping
him up and hugging him lovingly. “Thank
you Lord,” he continued, “for Aiden and the great things You’ve planned for our
family . . . for our son. Amen”
Over the course of the next several days, Allison too fell
in love. Her tears soon turned to tears
of joy; she knew they were destined to be together. Aiden, their special, energetic, perfect,
unique boy would provide a constant reminder that life’s not about granite
countertops. Life’s about love and truly
experiencing the beauty we’re meant to know.
Precious Lord, You tell me that You’ll never
leave me to walk alone, nor to carry these burdens by myself. But sometimes I don’t hear Your voice. Stay close to me, and help me to remember
this life is but a moment compared to Your promised eternity. Amen
