 |
|
|
Heidi watched as the paramedics put her 4-month-old daughter in the back of the ambulance. She had stopped breathing, and her outlook looked grim. The paramedics had resuscitated her, but her breathing was shallow and slow.
On the way to the hospital, Heidi thought about how her formerly fairy-tale life had fallen short of “happily ever after”. Her husband, George, had been her high-school sweetheart, and their wedding had been beautiful. Then God blessed them with Jennifer. However, shortly after that, George was diagnosed with a rare disease that took his life quickly. Over the last month, she had busied herself with the care of her daughter and tried not to think of George.
“God, please don’t let her die!” she exclaimed.
“Ma’am, we will do our best to make your daughter well,” an EMT assured her as he helped her up into the ambulance.
The next morning, the EMT came into the room where Jennifer was sleeping peacefully.
“She made it through the night,” he said.
“Yes, she did. Thanks for caring for her,” Heidi said.
“What a miracle,” he said as he looked at the baby.
“What is?” she asked.
“Babies. I have seen so many babies born. It never ceases to amaze me how God could make such a precious thing. Every baby is a new beginning in life. You have an especially beautiful baby girl,” he said.
“George always said she looks like me,” Heidi said.
“He was right,” the EMT said with a smile. A shiver ran up her spine and then a look of recognition came over her face.
“Kyle? Kyle Carliss?” she asked.
“You remembered,” he said.
“Yes, weren’t we lab partners in high school?” she asked.
“Yes, we were. I saw you here with your husband last month, and I recognized you then. I’m sorry to hear about your loss,” Kyle said.
“My life will never be the same,” Heidi said sadly.
“I lost my own wife and daughter about a year ago. Sometimes I still miss them, but grieving takes time,” he said as the tears started to fall.
Heidi looked at him and felt a connection with his pain.
Kyle visited Heidi and Jennifer every day while they were in the hospital. A week went by and Jennifer’s condition grew worse. One day as Heidi held Jennifer’s little hand, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up into the face of Kyle.
“You look like you could use a friend,” he said as he sat down next to her.
“Yes, I could. The doctor told me that the next time her heart fails, she may not make it,” Heidi said as she choked back the tears.
They were silent for a few minutes as they got lost in their own thoughts.
“She can’t die!” Heidi exclaimed as she buried her face in his shoulder. Her tears stained his shirt as he put his arm around her to comfort her.
“Heidi, God will take care of her,” he said.
Kyle and Heidi spent much of the next two weeks with Jennifer. They prayed together and shared many things, often into the wee hours of the morning. Jennifer slowly started to get better.
One day Kyle came in and saw Heidi dressing Jennifer.
“She’s going home today,” she said.
“I heard. I’m so glad,” Kyle said with a smile.
“Me, too! And thank you Kyle, for walking back into my life. I don’t think I would have made it through these last few weeks without you,” Heidi said.
“I’m glad I could help. But now that you are leaving, will I get to see you again?” he asked.
“I think I’d like that,” Heidi said with a smile.
“I’ll call you,” Kyle said. …
Four years later, Heidi smiled as she watched Jennifer playing with Kyle.
“Daddy, tell me the story again, about how you met Mommy?” she asked.
He took her into his lap and smiled at Heidi. Heidi smiled back and thought about that day four years ago. It was not the end of her fairy tale; it was just the end of the chapter. George was gone, but God had brought Kyle into her life and started a whole new chapter.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
|
|
|
