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KEEP SINGING
Like any good mother, when Karen found out that
another baby was on the way, she did what she could
to help her 3-year old son,Michael, prepare for a new
sibling. They find out that the new baby is going to be
a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael
sings to his sister in Mommy's tummy.
The pregnancy progresses normally for Karen, an active
member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church
in Morristown, Tennessee. Then the labor pains come.
Every five minutes, every minute. But complications arise
during delivery. Hours of labor. Would a C-section be required?
Finally, Michael's little sister is born. But, she is in serious
condition. With siren howling in the night, the ambulance
rushes the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at
St. Mary's Hospital. Knoxville, Tennessee. The days inch by.
The little girl gets worse. The peidatric specialist tells the
parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst."
Karen and her husband contact a local cemetery about a
burial plot. They have fixed up a special room in their home
for the new baby - now they plan a funeral. Michael, keeps
begging his parents to let him see his sister, "I want to sing
to her," he says.
Week two in intensive care. It looks as if a funeral will come
before the week is over. Michael keeps nagging about singing
to his sister, but kids are never allowed in intensive care.
But, Karen makes up her mind. She will take Michael whether
they like it or not. If he doesn't see his sister now, he may
never see her alive.
She dresses him in an oversized scrub suit and marches him
into ICU. He looks like a walking laundry basket, but the
head nurse recognizes him as a child and bellows, "Get that kid
out of here now! No children are allowed." The mother rises
up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glares
steel-eyed into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line.
"He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!"
Karen tows Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazes
at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. And he begins
to sing.
KEEP ON SINGING
In the pure hearted voice of a 3-year old, Michael sings:
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me
happy when skies are gray". Instantly the baby girl responds.
The pulse rate becomes calm and steady. Keep on singing, Michael.
"You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don't take
my sunshine away---" The ragged, strained breathing becomes
as smooth as a kitten's purr. Keep on singing, Michael. "The other
night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms---"
Michael's little sister relaxes as rest, healing rest, seems to
sweep over her.
Keep on singing, Michael.
Tears conquer the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glows.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my
sunshine away."
Funeral plans are scrapped. The next day, the very next day,
the little girl is well enough to go home!
Wonan's Day magazine called it "the miracle of a brother's song.
" The medical staff called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle
of God's love!
Never give up on those you love
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