I was at the start of a memorable journey of a lifetime with this tiny little life growing inside.Lesley frequently inquired of me, expecting me to reply as to how I felt at the realization that, there was a "Tiny Life" growing inside of me. What ever was my response to him, be it in a million words or so, I bet no man can ever fathom the blessedness of encompassing a "Tiny Life" within or can he even comprehend the avalanche of changes a woman undergoes, in a very short period of time beginning at the conception. Although my due date was 5th of January 2015, God had already timed our little baby's birth into this world. "Before I formed you in the womb , I knew you. Jeremiah 1:5". How reassuring it is to have a God who controls everything in our lives, from the journey of being formed in our mother's womb till the moment we close our eyes forever. Lesley and I knew very well that this little one was from the Lord. A special gift for us to nurture and love. We were also reminded of what the psalmist had to tell us,"Behold, Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward" in Psalm 127:3. We informed all our loved ones and yes, they blessed us with words which made our hearts glad.
Right from my childhood I grew up being very attached to my brothers. We loved each other dearly. My elder brother John was all set to tie the knot with my childhood friend Sheba. And their wedding was scheduled for 27th May 2014. Their wedding was the one I dreamed of being a part of since the day they were engaged.Everything seemed so beautiful from my favorite couple tying the knot to the little baby who shared our lives. Until an unexpected turn of events on 20th May 2014, left Les and I anxious. Lesley rushed me to the hospital. He, being a doctor was brimming with fear as to if our little one would make it or not. At that instant, being a non-medico saved me a lot of fear since I actually did not understand what was happening. On the other hand Lesley was profusely panicking as he asked me to lie down on the stretcher in the labor ward. Then reaching out to the Ultra Sound machine in front of him, Lesley tried checking for the baby's heart which was only a few weeks old. Watching his eyes water sent chills down my spine. I knew it was bad news. It was like a bolt out of the blue. My treating doctor , Dr. Asangla Aier Biswas who was on leave had returned home just that evening. But on hearing the mishap, she rushed us to her OPD room and did an ultrasound. She stopped over the heart of the baby, turned the monitor towards Lesley and showed him the beating heart. I saw a smile on Lesley's lips and I realized in my heart that our little one was fighting hard. Dr.Asangla hugged me and remarked, "your little one is a fighter and is not going to give up that easily". On my OPD chart, she wrote "Threatened Abortion" and advised bed rest for the next three months. I was admitted for three days with no family around to help. All our families were expecting our arrival back at home, in furtherance of attending my brother's wedding. My parents had gone over to make preparations for the wedding. The hospital campus where we lived in, treated us like family. Dr.Tony and Dr.Asangla arranged food and help for us during our stay in the hospital. Les and I will never forget those families who loved us like their own.
Threatened abortion is associated with bleeding and/or uterine cramping while the cervix is closed during early stages of pregnancy.This stage may further progress to spontaneous incomplete or complete abortion if precautions are avoided. Many women who face Threatened Abortion will still be able to carry their baby till term. I wanted to be one among that women. Les and I had desired this little child into our lives. We prayed that God would hold this baby till the end. Dr.Asangla had restricted me from undertaking any travel for the safekeeping of the baby. Lesley was perplexed as to how to break the news to me, of us not attending the wedding. But when he did tell me, I broke down into tears. I needed both. I loved them all. I wanted to be a part of that wedding which I always dreamed of and I wanted to keep the baby from any harm. Any body else who reads this will easily decide which is important, unlike me and I had my reasons. I grew up in boarding school from the age of five where my elder brother took care of me like a parent.I always looked up to him for any and every help. I dearly loved him. And his wife to be is my best friend. We've been friends since seventh grade. We've shared in each others ups and downs. She is like family to me. Her very name brings about the memories I cherish and hold dear to.Not being a part of their wedding grieved me gravely. My unborn child, on the other hand fighting for his/her life needed me to stand strong and stay back to let him/her fight a little longer. Oh God, where have you put me in!! was all I could ask. Despite the setbacks, a resolution had to be taken.
So Lesley briefed our loved ones about the happenings and got all of their suggestions. When John and Sheba came to know of it, Sheba took to tears. And I was inconsolable. Although my parents grieved, they made every effort to make me understand that I had to stay back and stay strong for the little blessing God gave, of His mercy. I secluded myself and spoke to no one for a few days because of the pain I underwent in accepting such a resolution. Not every time does everything happen the way we desire. Of all but this time, I wanted everything to happen the way I desired; because your favorite couple will tie the knot only once. And yes I had to forego such an event to give that little blessing a chance to fight its life into this world.
39 weeks went by real quick. I had to go through ailment and pain in the course of pregnancy. My parents and in laws took turns to help at home. We were expecting the little one very anxiously. But our little blessing refused to make its way into this world until it heard the harmony of my favorite couple making their way home to spend time with us. John and Sheba came home on our first wedding anniversary which is, 27th December 2014. We had a a small campfire outside our home in the midst of winters cold. John,Sheba, Immanuel (my younger sibling), Lesley and I sang loudly to our hearts content. And our unborn little baby must have rejoiced over the happiness and love we shared among each other. We are very tightly knit siblings and yes we love each other very dearly. That's how our parents grew us. I still remember dad and mom constantly reminding us that we need to always love each other and that love is something money can never buy. I am always proud of them who never esteemed money to love.
On the winters night of 28 December 2014, at 8:48 pm a baby girl smiled into our lives. Lesley held her in his arms and whispered into my ears; "Its a girl and she is "Grace". I beheld her face and adored her beauty. Impeccable elegance and sheer innocence adorned her. Her tiny little features and the charm of enduring an undisturbed sleep in the cold of winters night amazed me. I smiled at Lesley and closed my tired eyes.My treating doctor and the nurses asked Les to shift me to the private room and left for dinner. My parents took Grace to the private room allotted to us and were trying to keep her warm. While shifting me on to a stretcher, Lesley noticed that I had excessive bleeding. Never have I seen him panic so much ever. I dint realize, the next one hour was going to be my fight. . I looked into his eyes and saw how much he loved me. I saw a will that refused to let me go. A poetry of love, I would have chosen to write if I could. No one saw it coming. Lesley immediately informed my treating doctor and all of them rushed to the spot. Les did not have time to inform my family. So they were wondering what kept me waiting in the labor room. I remember holding Lesley's hand repeating , "God have mercy on us". An hour went by, the bleeding came under control and yes God indeed was merciful. I was shifted to private ward henceforth where I slept like a log for 12 long hours. I could barely move. I smiled at the bliss of beholding our little fighter together with my favorite couple whose wedding we missed, celebrating her arrival. I said no word to John and Sheba of how I felt when I saw them cuddle the newborn. I loved living that moment. What more could I ask, having your best friend and family near you. My heart was filled with gratitude at what I witnessed that day. I beheld tremendous love and support from my parents who prayed me through every moment, as they held their first grand child. I could never forego the joy that lit the faces of my brothers and my best friend, on seeing the baby. But I did miss my in laws.They should have missed that moment too. It was their second grand child but first grand daughter. And last but not the least the happiness of my husband, the love of my life who became the father of our beautiful baby girl. An icing on the cake was the fact that she resembled him. The most common remark I oft hear from mothers is that, the mothers carry the child for 40 weeks and out comes the baby looking like their dad.
All is well that ends well. The words that best describe what I witnessed could only be referred from that book which I value as the standard to live and cherish. Thus those beautiful words are as follows, Lamentation 3:22-23 "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, Great is your faithfulness"
So Lesley briefed our loved ones about the happenings and got all of their suggestions. When John and Sheba came to know of it, Sheba took to tears. And I was inconsolable. Although my parents grieved, they made every effort to make me understand that I had to stay back and stay strong for the little blessing God gave, of His mercy. I secluded myself and spoke to no one for a few days because of the pain I underwent in accepting such a resolution. Not every time does everything happen the way we desire. Of all but this time, I wanted everything to happen the way I desired; because your favorite couple will tie the knot only once. And yes I had to forego such an event to give that little blessing a chance to fight its life into this world.
39 weeks went by real quick. I had to go through ailment and pain in the course of pregnancy. My parents and in laws took turns to help at home. We were expecting the little one very anxiously. But our little blessing refused to make its way into this world until it heard the harmony of my favorite couple making their way home to spend time with us. John and Sheba came home on our first wedding anniversary which is, 27th December 2014. We had a a small campfire outside our home in the midst of winters cold. John,Sheba, Immanuel (my younger sibling), Lesley and I sang loudly to our hearts content. And our unborn little baby must have rejoiced over the happiness and love we shared among each other. We are very tightly knit siblings and yes we love each other very dearly. That's how our parents grew us. I still remember dad and mom constantly reminding us that we need to always love each other and that love is something money can never buy. I am always proud of them who never esteemed money to love.
On the winters night of 28 December 2014, at 8:48 pm a baby girl smiled into our lives. Lesley held her in his arms and whispered into my ears; "Its a girl and she is "Grace". I beheld her face and adored her beauty. Impeccable elegance and sheer innocence adorned her. Her tiny little features and the charm of enduring an undisturbed sleep in the cold of winters night amazed me. I smiled at Lesley and closed my tired eyes.My treating doctor and the nurses asked Les to shift me to the private room and left for dinner. My parents took Grace to the private room allotted to us and were trying to keep her warm. While shifting me on to a stretcher, Lesley noticed that I had excessive bleeding. Never have I seen him panic so much ever. I dint realize, the next one hour was going to be my fight. . I looked into his eyes and saw how much he loved me. I saw a will that refused to let me go. A poetry of love, I would have chosen to write if I could. No one saw it coming. Lesley immediately informed my treating doctor and all of them rushed to the spot. Les did not have time to inform my family. So they were wondering what kept me waiting in the labor room. I remember holding Lesley's hand repeating , "God have mercy on us". An hour went by, the bleeding came under control and yes God indeed was merciful. I was shifted to private ward henceforth where I slept like a log for 12 long hours. I could barely move. I smiled at the bliss of beholding our little fighter together with my favorite couple whose wedding we missed, celebrating her arrival. I said no word to John and Sheba of how I felt when I saw them cuddle the newborn. I loved living that moment. What more could I ask, having your best friend and family near you. My heart was filled with gratitude at what I witnessed that day. I beheld tremendous love and support from my parents who prayed me through every moment, as they held their first grand child. I could never forego the joy that lit the faces of my brothers and my best friend, on seeing the baby. But I did miss my in laws.They should have missed that moment too. It was their second grand child but first grand daughter. And last but not the least the happiness of my husband, the love of my life who became the father of our beautiful baby girl. An icing on the cake was the fact that she resembled him. The most common remark I oft hear from mothers is that, the mothers carry the child for 40 weeks and out comes the baby looking like their dad.
All is well that ends well. The words that best describe what I witnessed could only be referred from that book which I value as the standard to live and cherish. Thus those beautiful words are as follows, Lamentation 3:22-23 "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, Great is your faithfulness"
Beautifully presented with emotion and passion running high.As parent our eyes become wet remembering what you went through
ReplyDeleteThank you Appa & Amma. If it were not for both of you, the process of going through it should have been all the more difficult. Love you both.
DeleteI had the privilege of listening from you this story which was much more detailed!!! Well written, Eben :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm...Thank you :)
DeleteBeautiful story Dear Ebyma!Narrated so wonderfully !!Yes at times life is tough to go thru'But our Father n our Loving Saviour Who always keeps His promise is ever with us strengthening our feeble minds ,holding us with His strong unshakable arms !Thank u for sharing such powerful testimony
ReplyDelete