This past week has been one I never in a million years believed I would have to write about. I thought when I lost my son, Andrew, at 27 weeks only two years ago that I surely had a pass on heartache for a least a little while. And I never thought God would allow me to go through the devastation of losing another child.
Well, I was wrong.
Rewind four months from today. Peter and I had just returned from the most amazing trip to Oregon, our first real trip alone in nine years. We brought back an unexpected but beautiful souvenir – a healthy baby boy who would join our family of five in November. Perfect genetic test results. Growth right on track. He even had a feisty donkey kick to show us at 13 weeks!
The whole family loaded up for our 17 week appointment and headed to the doctor’s office. The kids were excited to see their new little brother on the monitor.
The sonographer came in to get started with our detailed ultrasound that, as she said, “would take a while”. At first glance, I thought it was odd that he wasn’t moving all over the place like previous ultrasounds. Instead his measurements were all over the place… his head measured 18 weeks, his arms measured 16… and then his stomach. As she measured I looked closely for his beating heart, but it wasn’t there. My own heart began to sink as my children and husband watched, not yet realizing what was happening. The walls were closing in around me, and I knew my three precious kids needed to leave the room as quickly as possible before I completely fell apart.
The kids left and my favorite doctor came in for a closer look. As my head spun in disbelief, he confirmed what I feared… our rainbow baby was gone.
41 hours later I was holding the most incredible little 17 week baby named Charley Ira Chase, so perfectly formed with 10 fingers and 10 toes and a kissable little nose. I was devastatingly heartbroken, but full of amazement and awe at God’s beautiful creation.
All I could think is “how could anyone in this world believe a 17 week baby is not a human? How could anyone justify purposely killing such a precious little thing?”
Unless, they are scared, and unsure of their future, and haven’t yet experienced for themselves the unconditional love a mother can have for her baby – regardless of the circumstances that child came from. I get it… it is scary to become a mother with this tiny thing depending on you for life. But it’s so very worth it!
I share my story to tell anyone who will listen that life is so precious and begins at conception. That EVERY baby conceived is fearfully and wonderfully made, knit in his or her mother’s womb as a perfect masterpiece. And whether that baby delivers into this world or bypasses this world and goes straight to an eternity in Heaven, God has a purpose for EVERY little life. We don’t always understand the purpose of it, and sometimes we don’t like the outcome of reproduction. But Isaiah 55:8-9 says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
For me, personally, I am struggling to deal with the reality of this loss. I am not sure yet how I will get through, because the heartbreak and devastation feel like more than I can bear. I don’t understand why God has allowed this a second time and why I can’t just hold my baby boy in my boba wrap with his head on my chest, or be exhausted from him crying all night, or lay him on my bed and change his diapers, or watch him wiggle those 10 little fingers and toes, or kiss his little nose.
I don’t know why and I probably never will.
So, I will read God’s promises and continue to ask him to reveal his purpose through this pain. I will thank him for allowing me to hold my precious 17 week baby boy for at least an hour and for allowing me to keep the three beautiful babies I have. And we will just have to see how my story continues.
Please know, if you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and don’t know what to do… there is hope and people in this world who love you and can help you. I am one of them! My email is meredith@peaceinthewaiting.com for anyone who needs support.
- Unconditional love of parents
- Such a perfect baby boy
- A father and his son
- From a beautiful friend
Meredith, I am so blessed by your wonderfully written story. As you stated, we cannot know God’s purpose, but I pray your story encourages someone to consider the value of life even at 17 weeks. I pray our Heavenly Father comforts you and your family in the loss of your precious baby.
Anne Dew
Thank you, Anne. I pray for the same thing! I appreciate your kindness and prayers.
An Angel of Peace, Hope, and Understanding is what I see! Charley is blessed in Heaven and was blessed with you as his Mom to see, feel, and love. Your heartbreak and confusion I can only imagine are more than words can express, but your Soul is not broken as it is filled with God’s only peace and comfort to close your eyes and lean into. It will take time and pain, but it is there.
My love and awe (in light of a better word) of you and your family is inspiring as you give us a glimpse of true faith and love of life that we are given through Christ.
Love all of you
Julie
Thank you, Julie, for your encouragement. I can’t even express how important reminders like this are in the midst of grief… reminders that God still loves us when we don’t feel like he does or when we don’t feel like he is there, He always is. Love you ❤️
Meredith. This loss has been so emotional for me. I so appreciate you sharing with me the joy of the good news of your pregnancy. I delighted in every morsel of pregnancy news. I felt like the wind was knocked out of me when I got the call from Peter telling me about the devastating news. I morn every time I allow myself to think about your loss. Why is this so personal to me? Why has this baby touched MY heart? I keep asking God why questions. We will only understand the why with time and prayer. I will continue to pray for you, Peter and you precious earthly kids. God does have a plan. You are one special lady. Love to you. Laura Watters Barnett
Laura, I am thankful for you and your friendship, your excitement during the pregnancy, and your prayers now when I need them most. Love you ❤️
Oh, Meredith. I, like you, would have thought you got a pass. My heart aches for you again. We will never understand this side of heaven, but know you are held so closely in His arms.
Thank you for the encouragement and reminder ❤️
So grateful for your courage and your willingness to be transparent and truthful. You and your family are loved.
Thank you, Ben ❤️
You have a beautiful heart, and your pain is understandable. Don’t blame God, He is hurting as much as you are, and you need Him to help you through this loss. My thoughts and prayers will be added as well. Know that you have two very precious angels keeping their loving arms around you to see you smile again.
Thank you, Mary, for this reminder and encouragement! The first two days were the hardest, because I felt like I needed to place blame somewhere so God was the easiest target. But I have been reminded in the Bible and from others like yourself of God’s love for us and his desire for our eternal happiness more than our earthy happiness.
What a truly inspiring story. Bless you in your faith & abundant blessings throughout your time of need. My heart goes out to you and your family. God bless you always. You and your family are in my prayers.
Thank you, Gwen ❤️