The Miracle of New Life: An Excerpt From "Come Home Alive: The Power of Knowing How to Work Together to Make It Through the Crisis of Cancer" by Mari Martin

"To witness the birth of a child is our best opportunity to experience the meaning of the word miracle." – Paul Carvel

"I don’t know who my grandfather was. I am more concerned to know what his grandson will be." – Abraham Lincoln

Expect: regard (something) as likely to happen; believe that (someone or something will arrive soon

Synonyms: anticipate, await, look for, hope for, look forward to, contemplate.

Our story includes one of the most fabulous events that can occur in all of humankind. Truly a miracle. The birth of a child. June 29: This was an incredible day. Well, June 28 was hectic with Ellen going into labor on that Saturday morning. Geoff and I kept texting away throughout the day and into the night, and then our beautiful granddaughter, Caroline Isabel Crittenden, was born in the early hours of June 29, 2014. What a memorable day, as this is the birth date of my grandmother, Anna. And now to have a granddaughter born on the exact day of my grandmother’s birthday – the circle of life in all its glory.

The confirmation that she had arrived triggered urgent action. We must get to Chicago immediately so that he can hold her, look her in the eyes, and touch this miracle of new life. Just like the woman who reached out to touch Jesus’s robe, the mere intention of the touch became the means of her healing. I needed to be the conduit to get him within proximity to make the touch. With a good understanding of the location of the hospital, I was able to find a hotel just a block away. Even that small walk proved to be almost insurmountable. We would walk a few steps; then he would need to stop. Once we got into the spacious lobby of the hospital, even then, he would have to stop and sit down to muster the energy to make it to the bank of elevators.

As we rode up the elevator, I could see the anticipation on his face. He had so many doubts that he would be alive to see her, but he had made it to this day – her day of birth. He would now see her face to face.

Caroline, “We’ll call her CeCe,” put a spark in Chris’s heart and in his outlook. Those first few hours with them on that Sunday morning are nestled in our hearts forever.

May you live to see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel. (Psalm 128:6)

Could this possibly be the turning point we needed? Yes, I believe.

Book excerpt from Come Home Alive: The Power of Knowing How to Work Together to Make it Through the Crisis of Cancer by Mari D. Martin.

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