Life & Death & Life

Have you heard the story of Katie Ogg who received the news all mothers dread When her premature babies were born she was told one of them was dead. Emily and Jamie were to be the names they’d pin their hopes and dreams on But in an instant Emily was alive and kicking while, Jamie, her twin, was gone. I wonder if we can fully comprehend this moment, it’s dichotomy or its scope One baby born alive and noisy the other silent...without hope. Katie wanted to tell Jamie, that he was loved and blessed So she unwrapped all 2 pounds of him and held him to her chest. It’s called Kangaroo Care and is a technique many hospitals now apply But Katie used it for another purpose...as a way to say goodbye Katie’s husband, David, climbed in next to them, he wanted Jamie to feel his dad If they had to say goodbye they were going to savor what little time they had. The doctor and nurses who were in the room all quietly receded Trying to give this grieving family the space and time it needed. For 2 hours they held him close with Jamie and mommy skin-to-skin They told him about his family, they stroked his little chin. When Jamie made a little gasp Katie wondered if perhaps he wasn’t dead “Please don’t get your hopes up, that’s a normal reflex.” Her doctor said. Katie took some breast milk and placed it on her fingertips Then, as is a mother’s nature, brought it to her baby’s lips. “I think he’s breathing.” Katie said to everyone’s surprise And the doctor finally believed her when Jamie opened up his eyes. “It’s a miracle.” The doctor proclaimed...Jamie was breathing normally And today Katie, David and the twins are a happy family. Death looms around every corner, every bedroom, every hall He’s never in a hurry for he knows eventually he’ll take us all. In a world where we have no idea when death will next attack Isn’t it nice to know, every now and then, death will give one back?