To Love, Honor and Cherish

by Timothy Paterson

  Chapter 32

  As Mary’s pregnancy progressed, she started getting cravings for Chinese food so often; that it was lucky for Joe that San Francisco had many good Chinese restaurants. Mary and Joe began reading as many books about babies and parenting as they could. Even though Joe had helped raise the twins since they were born, he was still nervous about becoming a father of his own child.

  As the weeks went by, they worked on the nursery, and started going to Lamaze classes. Mary was glad that she had the Williams-Rogers Foundation to keep her busy. In addition, she was in charge of recruiting teens to help run KCK and get ready for Christmas.

  In December of that year, tragedy came to the Rogers’ and Williams’ families that would that would test their faith to the limits.

  It was Christmas Eve and the entire family was at the house for the holidays, Jim, and Joe’s grandparents were at the house with the family, and they were all eating breakfast together. Mary suddenly doubled over in pain. “Something’s wrong with the baby,” she cried out. Joe helped her to the car and drove her to the hospital as quickly and safely as he could. When they got there, the doctor examined her and told them that the baby was in trouble, and that he had to an emergency C-section.

  While Mary was in surgery, Joe called home and told everybody what was happening. Joe was very worried. The baby was not due for nine more weeks.

  An hour later, the doctor told him that Mary was doing fine and was still in recovery. Joe asked about the baby and the doctor told Joe that their daughter was fighting for her life. She was very small and her lungs and heart were not working as well as they should. There was only a twenty per cent chance of survival.

  Joe was with Mary when she woke up from surgery. When Joe told her the news about their daughter, Mary started crying and Joe held her, trying to be strong for both of them. Soon, Joe started falling apart, and he started crying as well.

  When Mary was able to sit up, she insisted on being taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery to see their daughter. Joe wheeled her down to the NICU. She was so tiny, weighing just three pounds. Joe and Mary stayed with their daughter for several hours. As they watched her getting weaker and weaker, Joe and Mary could not stand it any longer.

  They went to the hospital chapel to pray. At one end of the chapel was a manger with the baby Jesus in it. That is where Joe chose to pray.

  He knelt down and he started praying harder than he had ever prayed before. He told God that he had already lost his parents and he did not want to lose his daughter too.

  As Joe looked at the baby Jesus, he said “God, your son was born and had a chance to grow up and help other people. Please give our daughter the same chance.” When Joe realized that he was demanding instead of asking, and he added; “God, if you must take our daughter, could you please let my parents take care of her so that she won’t be alone?

  All of a sudden, Joe turned around and saw his entire family standing around him praying as well. Joe sat beside Mary and held her hand and they prayed together. Tears were streaming down their faces. They prayed as hard as they could. Jim was holding Betty’s hand and they were praying too. So were Joe’s grandparents, and all of Mary’s siblings.

  Becca and Sarah went over to the manger and prayed to baby Jesus. Becca started praying aloud. “Dear Jesus, if you let Joe and Mary’s baby live, we will never ask for another thing ever again, not for birthdays or Christmas.” Becca and Sarah were holding hands as they prayed together. Just then, a clock in the chapel started tolling midnight. It was now Christmas Day.

  That is when the miracle happened. Becca and Sarah started singing Silent Night, at the same time. That song had never been sung so sweetly, or with such feeling as it was by those two twelve year old girls.

  Joe and Mary joined in and soon, everyone there was singing Silent Night to baby Jesus.

  After they finished singing the second verse, two human forms; a man and a woman appeared beside Baby Jesus.

  The woman spoke to Joe. “Joe, throughout your life, you have shown your faith to God, to your family, and to many others. You have given faith, hope and charity to many children in your life. God has heard your prayers and your daughter shall not die.

  God has plans for your daughter. She, as well as your future daughters shall live full lives and they will do wonderful things in their lifetimes. They shall follow in yours and Mary’s footsteps in helping others and healing their sorrows.”

  Tears were pouring out of Joe’s eyes as he fell to his knees to thank God. Then, Joe looked up at the angels and he spoke to them, “I miss you both so much.”

  The angel answered him by saying; “We never left you Joe. We have been watching over you, as well as your new family. We will always be with you and with your daughters as well.”

  Becca asked Joe if he knew the angels. Joe replied; “Yes, I do. These angels are my parents.”

  Then Joe’s father addressed Joe’s grandparents. “We have forgiven you, Mother and Father, and Joe has forgiven you. God has also forgiven you. Now, you have to forgive yourselves.

  Then Joe’s parents looked around the room and said, “There is so much love in this room. God is pleased with all of you. You have loved, honored and cherished him, as well as others around you. God loves all of you and someday you will be with him in Heaven. Until then, keep the faith.”

  As the angels started to fade, Joe said, “I love you both so much.” They answered “We love you too Joe!”

  As the angels disappeared, a nurse entered the chapel all excited and said that a miracle had happened. Their daughter was getting stronger and was crying. Joe looked at Mary and said, “We know. Our angels told us”.

  The doctors told Joe and Mary that their daughter was getting stronger, but would have to stay there for several more weeks.

  Then a nurse asked Joe if they had a name picked out for her. Joe looked at Mary and she nodded. Joe turned to the nurse and said “Her name is Faith; Faith Elizabeth Williams.

  Faith can move mountains and I know that Faith will move more than mountains in her lifetime.”

  Then the nurse smiled and said, “I just thought of something, “A miracle on Christmas Day saved the life of the daughter of Joseph and Mary.” Joe thanked the doctors and nurses and told them that Faith would be fine. “We have God’s word on it”. It was the best Christmas that the family ever had, or would have after that.