A Miracle on Main Street

A very happy and joyous update on our friends whom were expecting their fifth child. 15 doctors and specialists surrounded Mrs. O as she went into labor. They're 5th daughter, Gertrud, was born on December 29th at 8:30 AM. Mrs. O was expected to lose a lot of blood as she had before and because she had already had procedures done in the past, it wasn't certain if these procedures would work again. She would possibly lose her life. If she was to live, Doctors discussed the threat of a hysterectomy and a different procedure that would possibly paralyze her legs.
And so we prayed.
We prayed through her entire pregnancy. Every chance, every time the thought of prayer entered our minds, we offered them for her. We asked others to do the same. We asked God to have mercy. To let her live so that she could be here to raise her 5 daughters. He gave her this child. Only He could keep her here to take care of her. We asked the Blessed Virgin to stay close to her and comfort her through these stressful and anxious times.
After the birth, as the 15 doctors waited, nothing happened. They waited more. Nothing. Mrs. O was alive and well, happily holding her newborn with her husband at her side. Mr. O stated that the specialists almost seemed a bit "disappointed" that they're expertise would not be needed. They kept her in the hospital for 2 more nights, expecting something to happen. But still, nothing. It was one of her easiest labours/births. God gave them a miracle.
This past Sunday, January 3rd, we went over to the O's house to meet baby Gertrud for the first time. When Mrs. O came down the stairs she had a smile on her face (she ALWAYS has a smile on her face) and proudly held her sweet newborn. I gave her a big hug and had to hold back my tears. Technically, she shouldn't have been there. She shouldn't have been standing right in front of me with that baby in her arms. I thanked God and oohed and aahed over Gertrud. She's a beauty. I got a chance to hold her and breathed in that wonderful new baby smell. She was very alert, looking around and then looking at me as I talked to her. I told her how blessed she is to have 4 older sisters who will always love her and look after her. And how blessed she is to have her mother.
What a fantastic mother she is too. She always inspires me to be a better mother. You only have to meet her once to know that her children mean the world to her. She would do anything for them. Even if it means losing her life.