7 months into her pregnancy, her doctor notified her that she was suffering from Hypertension. She was told to return to the hospital if she experienced severe headache or fever. A few days after that admonition an episode of high fever, intense chills and violent shivering sent her to the hospital on Saturday afternoon. Admitted to Heman Maternity Hospital, we spent the weekend there as they ran test and observed her.
On monday, with her fever having subsided, and the baby’s heartbeat normal, we were ready to pack up and head home. At that point a doctor came in with the results of the more extensive test just having been completed. “Your system is under extreme duress, your organs are shutting down and the baby is not getting the nutrients it needs. Basically the baby is at risk of starving. Worse yet, one if not both of you may not survive if we don’t terminate the pregnancy now. We will leave you to your decision”.
Hypertension had become Preeclampsia, a condition that takes the lives of mothers and children alike in the most advanced hospitals in the west and is a terrifying prospect to face even in the most medically advanced environments. We looked at each other stunned but oddly calm and sure about what we needed to do. We prayed together, looked at each other and said, we have no choice. We gave the doctors our decision, called the family and told them we are delivering immediately by emergency C-Section.
The family hurriedly made their way to the hospital. I asked my aunt to get holy oil from Kedus Giyorgis (Saint George Church) for the purpose of anointing. Upon her arrival I anointed Zellie and our child in her belly and she was wheeled into surgery. Nervous father anxiety was matched and surpassed by a peace that defied explanation in light of the circumstances.
40 minutes had passed when Zellie was wheeled out of the delivery room, groggy but awake. Her first question was, “Have You Seen Her?”. I replied NO! She told me to go see our daughter. I ran upstairs to the ICU and asked to see her. After dawning scrubs and a surgical mask, I was led into medium sized room with one window, a few small beds and an incubator.
There, at 1.4 kilos and 9 weeks early was a very tiny Gabriella Countess. Her midsection fitting into my cupped hands, she was a fragile ball of life attached to a myriad of tubes and monitors, stretched out on a little bed under a heat lamp. I wept openly as I looked at my daughters little face and reflected on the extreme act of mercy and love that had just been bestowed upon us.
For the next three weeks we slept at the hospital as “Gabby” required intense hands on care from both of us. At the end of that 3 week period of intense round the clock care, we went home with our daughter, tired but relieved, humbled and deeply thankful. She had managed to gain 3 kilos and was released to us to provide her with the same level of intense care but at home.
As we look back at what life was a few months ago and the beautiful child we have before us now, we remain as faithful and inspired now as we were then by the miracle that is Gabriella.
I know people who have a total hatred of the Christian faith, due largely in part to the terrible examples they have around them or witness “in action” (or non-action). In a lot of cases, they look at professing Christians as if we are fools for having faith in the “sky god” or if your black, the principle tool of colonialism, imperialism and white supremacy. Even being an adherent to the 2000 year old Ethiopian Orthodox faith doesn’t lessen the attacks or accusations that you are lost and blind to reality.
After the divine intervention that gave me the family I cherish and enjoy this day I share my experience to reveal what happens when you devote your life to “walking the talk”, being faithful in the face of withering cynicism and doubt and maintaining the unceasing attitude of Repentance. I look at both of my loves and am forever humbled and changed by the grace and mercy extended by the ever present God and the loving creator of the Universe, the Christ. The evidence of the power, grace and mercy that defines God is undeniable and something I will never be quiet about nor cease to testify of through my life’s work and devotion to justice for all. In his name, Yesus Christos, I give thanks and I say, Amen.