STATISTICALLY,
MOST PEOPLE won’t find themselves sitting
in a waiting room praying for some good news from
a physician regarding the status of a newborn son or daughter.
For those who have experienced the fear, terror, and
indescribable
feeling that takes over the mind at those moments,
nothing seems to sooth or reassure the mind.
This
book is the result of a great deal of love, a tremendous degree
of anxiety, loads of support, and many endless nights. Out
of the profound depths of near loss, this book emerges as a true
testament to one family’s steadfast devotion to their child, their
love of God, and two spouses who have grown stronger as
a
result of the challenge.
Every
day in this country, thousands of children are born. The
majority of births are uneventful and proceed without the need
for medical alerts. I’ve often thought that a baby being born
without something flawed is itself miraculous. There are so
many components that go into making a healthy child, and
the
odds would seem to favor something going wrong. But the opposite is typically true. The little
boy in this story however wasn’t so
lucky. The odds didn’t go in his favor. His parents were
among those who joined the ranks of the statistically challenged.
This
is a story that will give any reader the chills. It will make
you cry and it will make you laugh. While you read each page,
you will find it difficult to imagine any parent having to face
their worst fears — having to look into the eyes of their only
child and wonder, "Why us? Why him?" Perhaps you are just
such a parent … or grandparent. Such events touch the lives
of many around you: relatives, friends, neighbors … even people
you’ve never met yet hear your story will be affected.
As
you read this story of one family’s journey through the events
that follow a premature birth, I truly hope that you will find
inspiration and joy. For those of you who are facing your own
challenges due to a premature and threatened birth, my prayers
go out to you. Your strength is being tested as it has never
been tested before. The days and perhaps months ahead will
surely test your very soul. But hopefully the story you are about
to read her will give you support and guidance and an increased
tenacity that you’ll want to pass on to your child. I
know that the Cantrells send their silent blessing your way.
What
they did, you too can do. What their child did, you child
can do as well. Strength comes in different sizes and shapes.
Perhaps your strength will come from that little one for whom
you’d give your very life.
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