Posted on 01/23/2009 2:57:43 PM PST by mockingbyrd
I'd better say something about why "My Little Mariposa" – Mariposa, California is our home, but it also means little butterfly and that is what she is. A sweet butterfly that is in her cocoon, will come forth in brilliant color, bestow a butterfly kiss and then fly away as the Spring time air calls her forth.
My Little Mariposa By Christy Wall
The technician's hand is poised over my swollen belly like a child standing with a net, waiting to catch the butterfly. The baby flutters and turns in the warm water, I can almost see her pretty face laughing. There is a wild trail of goo on my skin marking the dance of my daughter as she cavorts within my womb. I am breathless with her beauty.
My daughter. My daughter, Clara. It is music to my ears to say her name. She pauses for a moment and the technician starts measuring with clicks and whirls of the machine. I am so enamored with her pretty little round head that I do not see the horrendous cysts taking up the space where her brain ought to be. Her arms wave in front of the camera like a sweet greeting and my heart swells with love, but I do not see that the other one lies floating in sea, for it has no bones. The misty floaty thing, the technician says to me, as I admire her curved spine, is her bowels. I can not even process this information, for she has taken off again in a flight of fancy, swirling and leaping in joy. And finally, the technician mentions the heart that is doing nothing because it is broken. I look at the technician with wide eyes "But my heart is all she needs."
"Yes", she agrees slowly. "But your baby will die once she leaves your womb." Tears well up and in a moment I am sobbing. I am overwhelmed. My little daughter is alive and rejoicing in life. She knows my voice, the beating of my heart, the measure of my step. She knows the deep voice of her father, the laughing voices of her nine brother and sisters. She is home and has a family. My womb gives her the only life she will ever know. Every moment within my womb is a moment of joy and love and comfort that she would not otherwise have. Because the minute she is born, the world will kill her. What mother does not wish to protect her child with her very body? And I am given the unique privilege of giving her the only life and protection she will ever know.
But there is more. With God's grace, I will carry this baby in my womb for 20 more weeks. 20 weeks to know her better, for the children to talk to her, for her to kick with her two good strong legs, for her to laugh as she plays in the waters which belie her floating intestines and arm, for her to love because she does not need a brain to love.
And after that, I will bring a priest and the family to the hospital. And I will deliver this baby into the arms of the priest who will baptize her. She will be born into Life, then. Eternal life.
What greater blessing can a parent know?
Christy said: The night of the day that I found out the baby I am carrying has Trisomy 18, God gave me these words (see ppost above) - WORD FOR WORD - and told me to send it out to everyone so that people could read that life in the womb means something. This is not to say that He didn't use my sorrow or my writing ability/style - no. But He orchestrated it. He gave me the words that were crying out in my heart. I can not claim credit. And I can not stifle them.
Godspeed.
I am dissolved in tears... God Bless all these little Angels.
My prayers are with you. Prayers for strength and peace.
...and a miracle!
My prayers are with you. Prayers for strength and peace.
...and a miracle!
Prayers for this precious angel and her brave Mother and Family. May The Lord Bless each and everyone with His Grace and Healing Love in Jesus Name, amen.
Ping to Salvation for prayer.
Well, prayers for your friend, her husband, her baby, her safety too, because Trisomy 18 puts the mother at risk for preeclampsia.
But - something is not sounding right about this email - a baby with “a heart that is doing nothing”, not beating? is already dead.
And technicians don’t describe anomalies - they go very silent, and then the doctor comes in.
Oh. Prayers up. What gracious vision to see beyond the sorrow!
God bless her and the little angle she carries.
Prayers.
Oh, how sad...
That poor Mommy...
Prayers for Clare and her loving Mommy...
Prayers for your friend. May God’s grace and courage surround and comfort her. Amen!
Prayers said!
Prayers up.
This is beautifully written, albeit heartbreaking. I am very impressed with her faith and positive attitude and she and her little mariposa will have my prayers.
A daddy’s prayers ~ and a daddy’s tears ~ for your baby.
Strange to be reminded of the sensations of parenthood that I had forgotten; the great relief upon my wife giving birth to him, safely, then sudden, and unexpectant, realization that he had just left the safest place that he could ever be.
May the love of your family and the Holy Spirit, as well as the knowledge that your baby will soon be returning to her original home, to God, be of comfort to you at this difficult time.
prayer bump
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