It was 7:30am. My eyes were still cross-eyed when I tried to unscramble the words from his text message. “We’re headed to the hospital, and she wishes you were here.” I leaned over and woke Philip. He smiled, rubbed his eyes, and we jumped out of bed. Just minutes later, we had the girls in the car to make the 5 hour journey. My sister-in-law Erin was in labor, and there was no way we were going to miss it.
The truck couldn’t go fast enough. As I frantically watched every minute go by, I couldn’t help but reflect. Erin and my brother, Brad, were there for us on so many levels. We owed it to them to be there.
But my anxiety was more than being a supportive sister.
I prayed for a strong, beautiful, healthy baby. Let me explain. A son with Cerebral Palsy, hundreds of blood transfusions, and weekly visits to the Emergency Room will make anyone constantly mindful of the health of all their children. But even more than that, before this pregnancy, sweet Erin had two miscarriages….one of them being twins.
With camera in hand, we made it. Barely. And what we experienced over the following hour is something I will never forget. I have two beautiful babies of my own, but never have I been given the privilege to experience the birth of a new life like this.
Mindful of oxygen cords and the sensitive nature of his mother, their son, Tyler, rolled over to her bedside in his wheelchair and held her hand. It was precious and all too perfect. When the doctor arrived, he hid behind to keep his mother’s modesty. “Mom, I want to stay.” He, too, had waited long for this moment.
A few pushes later, little Alexis was born. She was beautiful. She was delicate. And… she was healthy.
I was amazed. When Alexis took her first breath, I couldn’t hold back the tears. As I looked around the room at the others, it seemed that they couldn’t either. I experienced a miracle. It was beautiful and so fragile. But even more powerful, we observed one of God’s greatest gifts…..
*Life*
Welcome to the world baby girl.
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