Maria

I want to tell you about my friend, Maria. I should start by saying that Maria has, without a doubt, one of the most tender hearts I have ever seen. She's bright and funny. She also has a soft heart for those who aren't well; human or not. I've seen this girl care for and nurse a sickly bird back to health.

Almost a year ago, Maria and her boyfriend found out that they would be parents. Although they were unmarried and the baby was a surprise, Maria was very excited. She was a little worried, but felt that she'd be okay.

In December, Maria gave birth to a sweet little angel from God. A little boy. But that sweet boy was ill. Part of his brain was missing. He was blind and deaf. For quite some time, he was on a respirator because they couldn't get him to breath on his own. Maria's response to all that was, "It's just one more battle we're going to fight." She loved that little boy of hers. She was so proud of him... so proud to be his mama. Maria knew that she was meant to be that boy's mom.

For the first three months of his life, Maria's little boy had test after test. It seemed that the doctors were always finding something else wrong with him. But Maria was determined to find a way to help her son.

Then came Tuesday, March 7th. The day before, the baby had had some testing done to determine why he wasn't able to swallow. That night, Maria noticed he seemed swollen. After a time, the swelling went down. Maria decided that, since he had was going to see the doctor again the next day, she would wait until then.

Tuesday, the baby's father dropped Maria and their son off at the doctor. The doctor took one look at the boy and knew something was very wrong. Before they ambulance got there, the baby's feet were blue. Before the ambulance could get them to the hospital, the boy's lips had also turned blue.

I am saddened to say that the boy was not to make it through the night. He passed on that night with his mama by his side. Unfortunately, it was just not meant to be. He was too sick. His lungs had turned to stone inside his little body. As the doctors said, it was inevitable.

My heart breaks for Maria. Though the child was not planned, he was LOVED. It seems so unfair, I admit. And this is one of those times when it seems impossible to find God anywhere. Indeed, at this moment, Maria simply cannot find God... And for the moment, she's not trying. She has lost her son & that's all she knows.

Pray for Maria. Pray for all those parents who bury their children. Pray that they find a way to make their child's life count. Because every life, no matter how short or how disabled counts... and it counts completely. Pray that they feel God's arms around them.