Hardships and Miracles

Source: brighamandwomenshospital

For the last several months, I have been attentively listening to a good friend who is going through a significant hardship.  He is the father of 4 young girls.  The oldest is 4.  The youngest are twins who were born in October.

But they were born very prematurely since they were not expected until the end of January.  Hence, the hardship he and his wife are living.

From the day they were born, they were struggling for their lives.  And they did so until the end of January (the time when they normally would have been born).

There is no longer an immediate threat to their lives; however, they will have to deal with lingering health problems due their premature birth.  I’m happy to say that they are now at home and no longer in the hospital.

During these months, I had a number of conversations with my friend.  He and his wife have been on a rollercoaster of emotions.  From hope to despair, anguish, sadness, helplessness and anger; they have lived through it all.  It was very difficult for him.

At some point, he even felt numb to the whole situation, not knowing what to feel.  He was describing how his baby girls needed to show that they could breathe on their own for a week before they could be released.  There were a few times when they were close only to have their hopes dashed.

Visiting their babies on a daily basis, seeing these tiny bodies with tubes coming out of them and not being able to cuddle them was torturous.  And then, one of them needed surgery, not once but twice.  She had meningitis while in the hospital which caused hydrocephalus.  She therefore needed surgery to drain the excess liquid in her brain and then needed a stent to be placed with the on-going fluid problems.

As human beings, we can get caught up in the hardships and miss the miracles.  These little baby girls are alive.  That, in itself, is a miracle.

What other miracles await this family?  What growth awaits these parents and siblings as these little girls continue to grow, discover their surroundings, and feel loved by them?  Yes, there will continue to be hardships but they will be enveloped by miracles.

In situations like these, I’m reminded of something that somebody told me once.  When the wall is too high, just dance in front of it.  I pray that my friend dances in front of his wall.  In the meantime, I will cook up a few meals for him and his family.

Norbert Piché is the Directeur national Service jésuite des réfugiés - Country Director Jesuit Refugee Service – Canada

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4 Comments
  • Maria Way
    Posted at 05:57h, 08 February Reply

    My thoughts and prayers are with your friend and his family. My younger grandchild was 11 weeks premature, and we had many ups and downs with her until she was allowed to come home. Meanwhile, in the unit where she was, some of the babies didn’t make it. She was a much wanted baby, since her mother is disabled and has serious health problems. Each time I look at her now (she is 5), I know she is a miracle. She is a little fighter and will try her hand at anything, climbing, riding, swimming under water (terrified Granny!), and would prefer to do any of these things dressed as a princess, if that is at all possible. Dance in front of that wall — my grandchild would try to climb it for some time, then stand in front of it dancing and singing!

  • graeme quinlan
    Posted at 06:31h, 08 February Reply

    Sometimes the story of life is not always an easy one, we have often to face some incredibly difficult moments that can cause so much pain and anguish for us . But it is through Faith and trust in the Divine intervention that comes to us in times of trials that we are able to come through those traumatic and difficult situations thrown at us though those difficult times. In these times we need to hold out in hope, faith and trust that the good Lord , the God of all creation will be with us . And He Is.

  • Peter Bisson
    Posted at 15:06h, 08 February Reply

    Thank you Peggy!

  • Friederika Priemer
    Posted at 06:49h, 09 February Reply

    Thank you Peggy! You are a GREAT friend!

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