The Night of the Due Date

~ ckhughes4

The arrival of our second beautiful granddaughter, Emiline Rose Graham, was quite eventful! We praise the Lord for a healthy mom and baby. In the spirit of the season, here’s what happened:

 

THE NIGHT OF THE DUE DATE, by Craig Hughes
(The tale of a home birth)

Stockings 3Twas the night of the due date when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring…except for the spouse.

At mass, all went well with the babe in womb,
and no one suspected delivery was soon.

Back home, all the stockings were hung on the stairs
with Christmas décor amid sofa and chairs.

This night was different. Instead of TV
the family retired to their bedtime routine.

Young  daughter was restless, delaying the bed;
she chose some attention from parents instead.

When finally she settled as kids tend to do
her daddy found solace on his pillow, too.

With Mommy uneasy from pregnancy aches,
she sought some relief by “whatever it takes.”

Because she had dealt with pregnancy past
she knew the birth symptoms were happening fast.

She called for her hubby who came to her side
then she let out a scream as she frantically cried,

“The baby is coming!!! And what shall we do?!
We haven’t the time for our planned follow-through!”

He sprang into action then quick as a wink
he called for the sitter then thought, “Let me think!”

The baby was moving, the crowning had come.
The next thing he did was to call 9-1-1.

And meanwhile the baby came all the way out
with Mom’s last triumphant and desperate shout.

The 9-1-1- lady was earning her pay
by helping this daddy. She knew what to say.

Now, timely, the front door had gathered a crew
of sitters and techies who knew what to do.

The stairs were the busiest place in the town
with traffic all scurrying up and then down.

But everything stopped for a moment in time
as Mom and the newborn were carried behind.

And to the hospital the ambulance went
“On driver! Please hurry!” the message was sent.

“We heard you were coming!” said hospital crew.
“You’ve come to the right place. We’ll take care of you!”

With everyone healthy, and finding relief,
The daddy just stood there in stunned disbelief.

Who would have thought amidst holiday mirth
the baby would come through a wild bathtub birth?!

Then Daddy exclaimed as the patients took flight,
“Did this really happen? Oh me, what a night!”Grahams with Emmie

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Published by ckhughes4

Through the years I have enjoyed serving local churches in the areas of music and worship. It has been a great ride! Currently, I have the privilege of serving with the good people of West Hampton Baptist Church in Hampton, Virginia. It is a terrific church family where God is doing a unique and powerful work.

18 thoughts on “The Night of the Due Date”

    1. Thanks, Diane! I enjoy writing but don’t know if it can pay the bills. 🙂 God was so good through the entire delivery of little Emmie. His ways are certainly way beyond ours!

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  5. Honestly,I don’t know if I’m more thrilled with the birth,or the wonderful gift of the way it was all handled!! Right down to the fabulous poem!! Totally breathtaking!! Such wonderful blessings,the parents,the baby,the sibling…the helpers…and, certainly the wonderful Grandparents!! God Bless you,every one !! (PS…partial to the great name!!)congrats!!
    (Friends of Becky and Hugh)
    Jo Ellen Marsh

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  7. Craig,you are not only ;gifted in music but as a writer. ‘This is wonderful-and think how she will be so proud of her Granddad when she grows up.

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  8. I Just can’t stop reading, over and over. Craig we need to find someone to illustrate this, and produce a storybook.

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  9. The poem is so beautifully written, plus of course the information. My goodness and God’s goodness, you wrote beauty in perfect cadence. It helps to know cadence. 🙂 Babies are a very special ‘deal’, God bless wee Em, et al.

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