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 pediatric 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 glaressteel-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. 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!
Woman's Day magazine called it "the miracle of a brother's song." The medical
staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love!
NEVER GIVE UP ON THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE.
