Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year old son, Michael prepare for the new sibling.
They discovered that the new baby was going to be girl, so day after day and night after night Michael would put his head on Mommy's tummy and sing to his sister.
The pregancy progressed normally for Karen and in time the labor pains came. soon they were coming every five minutes. . .then every three minutes. . .and finally only a minute apart.
But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. A C-section would be necessary. Finally, after the long struggle, Michael's little sister arrived in the world. But she was in serious condition.
With its siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at Saint Mary's Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. As the long days went by, sadly the little one's health progressively worsened.
The pediatric specialist regretfully informed them that there was little hope for the baby's survival. "Be prepared for the worst", he said. Karen and her husband made funeral arrangements and visited possible burial sites.
They had lovingly decorated a special room for the new arrival in their home, and now, tragically found themselves planning funeral for her.
Little Michael did not understand and kept begging his parents to let him see his baby sister. "I need to see her!" he kept saying.
By week two, though the baby was klinging to life, it death appeared imminent. There would surely be a funeral before the week was over.
Karen decided to let little Michael see his sister for the first and last time. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and took him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket.
Before they got to the Baby's room, a nurse approached and said that Michael would not be allowed to see his baby sister, "I sorry, but we just cannot allow small children in ICU, there are too many very sick people who he may disturb."
Karen explained how little Michael had anticipated his sister's birth and how he had sang to her while she was in the womb. Karen pleaded, "Michael has not seen his sister alive, please let him see her alive before he sees her in her little coffin, for she is dying as we speak." This, of course broke the nurse's heart, and she led them both to the baby's room.
After reaching the tiny infant's bedside, little Michael gazed at his little sister as she struggled to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year old, Michael say, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey. . ."
Suddenly, the baby seemed to respond. He pulse rate began to stabilize! "Keep singing, Michael!" encouraged Karen, in tears. "You never know dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away."
As Michael continued to sing, his little sister's ragged, strained breathing began to smooth out until finally, she sounded like a kitten purring!
"The other night dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms". . . Michael's little sister began to relax and rest, a healing rest seemed to envelope her.
Miraculously, the next day Michael's little sister was released from the hospital and allowed to go home. Woman's Day magazine called it "The Miracle of a Brother's Song."
The medical staff just called it a "miracle." Karen called it a "miracle of God's love."
NEVER GIVE UP ON THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE.
LOVE IS SO INCREDIBLY POWERFUL.
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Email: lasiter@pointsoftruth.com
Points of
Truth Christian Ministries
Church of God Fellowship
P.O. Box 102, Russellville, AR 72811 USA
501-498-4524
Larry R. Lasiter, pastor
www.pointsoftruth.com