The story of a miracle

Joel is doing a funeral in Big Sandy this morning. I was over there helping him set-up and print bulletins so I met the funeral home director from Chester, MT.

Of course, he asked us if we had kids. We said "no". He said "oh". Long pause. Then Joel says "not yet anyways."

And that opened a door!

The director, I'm not even sure of his name, started telling us about his 46 year old daughter, his oldest, who couldn't have kids. For years her and her husband, married now for 20 years, were ok with that. They were best buddies and liked their jobs. But 4 years ago they changed their minds. They knew they were missing out on parenthood...so they decided on adoption...

Paperwork filled out, waiting begins. The adoption they applied for was an open one. That means the birth parent or parents picks the couple they want their child to go to. Three phone calls came in saying they'd made the top 2-3, their hopes high, only to be crushed when hearing the news that they were not picked after all. They were ready to give up. They were sad. I imagine at this point in their story, or even with every phone call, they mourn a loss, and they mourn the potential death of a dream. But guess what? Just days ago they got another call...an instant baby! Born just for them. It's a boy! Just when they'd given up hope! A dream fulfilled!

More non-baby related conversation...then the director starts up again...

"My wife and I didn't think we were going to have grandchildren" he said. Now they have 5!

He continues, "Our youngest daughter, she had trouble also, but they did Invitro twice and the second time it worked." Another miracle for director and his growing family! 6 months after their invitro miracle was born, the mom found out she was pregnant. Baby number 2 for this family! Then, get this, 6 months after that baby was born, she found out she was pregnant again. Boom! Years of trouble and now they have 3 babies aged 3 and a half and younger. Wow!

The director's son must have a baby to make 5, but he didn't talk about him.

It was pretty awesome to have this random guy start talking to us about such personal history with his family.

It helps renew hope.