As I See It

As I pulled into my parking space after lunch today (after church), the Don Moen Show had just come on the air, and an interview between Don and one of his band members was starting. Just before the interview began, the announcer mentioned how close the band members were and how they supported one another through difficult times. The man Don was interviewing had just lost his fourth daughter and was telling about the circumstances of that loss.

The family had three daughters - six year old twins and a three year old. They had learned of the new pregnancy and that there might be some complications - a small possibility of Down Syndrome. As they were on their way to see the doctor, the man's prayer was, "Please don't let her have Down Syndrome."

Upon arriving at the doctor's office, they learned that Down Syndrome was not the problem - something much worse was going on. The prayer then was no longer, "Please don't let her have Down Syndrome"; now it was, "Please let our daughter live." There was a problem with the baby's kidneys, and amniotic fluid was not being produced. The parents were told that the baby could not survive; without amniotic fluid, she would be crushed. If she were delivered alive, she would take perhaps one breath, gasp, and then die very painfully.

The parents were torn; they did not know what to do? They wanted to do what would be the most humane. The doctor was very kind. His nurse, who had lost several babies to very serious health problems and to abortion as a result of health problems, was in tears and very sympathetic to their plight. The man asked the nurse what she would do in their situation, and she said she would choose abortion.

This couple knew of persons who had been told by doctors that their child had no chance of life or meaningful life; yet when the child was born, there were no problems. In other situations, the problems were not nearly as serious as anticipated. They decided to allow the pregnancy to continue until the baby was viable, and she was born at thirty-two weeks.

The serious problems were there, and their daughter did die. However, they had two and one half very peaceful hours with their baby. Her three sisters were all able to see her and to hold her for a brief period of time. The baby did not suffer in her death as they had been told she would. She slipped away with her loving family at her side.

This story is both sad and happy at the same time. The family suffered a devastating loss, but they have beautiful memories of this little girl and no regrets about the part they played in her life and death. This story touched me, and I wanted to share it with you.

Blessings to all!