December 9th came and went, and we still didn’t have a baby. An induction was scheduled for December 14, but A would check into the hospital the night before.
“When do you want us to come?” I asked.
“When I check in,” she said.
I called my mom to let her know the plan. A few weeks prior, she and my dad had insisted on being at the hospital. Because of the unique circumstances, John and I hadn’t asked our parents to come to the hospital, but I was relieved my parents would be there.
“We would be there if you were having the baby,” my mom said. “We’re not coming to meet the birthmother; we are coming to support you and John.”
I made it through my last day of work before taking six weeks of maternity leave. It was surreal leaving the Mission, knowing my life was about to drastically change.
The morning before we left for the hospital, it dawned on me that I would be holding my son the very next day.
The dog still needed a bath before I could drop her off at my friend’s house, and my bag remained unpacked on my bedroom floor. But instead of taking care of the last-minute details, I found myself sitting at the kitchen table listening to Christmas music and sobbing uncontrollably.
“Christ is the Lord, oh praise his name forever….”
The months leading up to that moment had been a whirlwind – between my mom’s cancer diagnosis, her surgery, holidays at the Mission, my sister’s wedding, and preparing for Jackson, I had barely had a chance to sit and let everything sink in. That morning, I allowed myself to feel every emotion – the excitement, the nerves, and the sadness.
I was humbled at all God had done. The Christmas music playing over the kitchen radio was a reminder of the miracle we were about to receive. I couldn’t help but think of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and what she must have felt that very first Christmas.
But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger’. Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherd’s said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:10-19)
Jackson was our Christmas miracle. I prayed his birth would reflect the true meaning of Christmas. It was all about a baby. A baby boy born in a manger in Bethlehem who changed the world.
***The following is an except from my book Bringing Home the Missing Linck: A Journey of Faith to Family ***
Happy Birthday Jackson! You truly are our Christmas Miracle.
How special Christmas time is for you and your family!