“Healthy baby.” Isn’t that what we all want?
It’s a pretty typical to hear the question “Do you want a boy or a girl?” and respond with, “It doesn’t matter as long as the baby is healthy.”
But what if the baby isn’t healthy?
What if something, somewhere, somehow didn’t form quite right?
What if there is something missing, something extra, something scary, something that will result in months worth of a hospital stay or dozens of surgeries?
What if that beautiful blessing will change your life in ways that you never could imagine?
What if you will cry tears you never knew you had from deeper down than you have ever felt?
What if instead of bringing home a beautiful baby to cuddle, you spend your discharge time scheduling therapy visits?
If you don’t have a healthy baby, I want to say to you this:
Those babies born not healthy are still beautiful.
They are still precious.
They can still be loved.
They are still valuable. Still a gift. A blessing.
You are their momma for a reason.
They are not defective. Just different.
They are not a burden. Just a blessing in a way of their own.
They may have a broken heart, but can also fill our heart with more love than we ever could imagine.
They may brighten the days of many doctors, nurses, and therapists who are in their path.
They may give hope to someone who is searching for their own miracle.
They may love you more intensely, more selflessly, more genuinely than you ever have been loved.
Those not healthy babies? They are still a gift.
Praying for healthy is great, but loving the not healthy is a blessing in and of itself.
This article was originally published on My House Full of Boys
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