The story below is based strictly on fiction.
Losing my baby brother was not fiction but harsh reality.
This story started after listening
to a sermon by a Presbyterian minister......
Thanks Mark *smiles*
A few well placed words
grew into a story.

As I grew up, I thought about how
it would be if my baby brother had lived...
Have you ever waited and waited
for a special Christmas or Birthday gift
and then have it TAKEN away from you?
That is what it was like....for me.....
I was old enough to start thinking
about having a new baby brother or sister..
For many years, I felt an "empty spot" there....
Danny was my only "full blooded" sibling
Due to the intensity of negativity
on the part of the other children,
(both my Father and Mother's)
I often felt the stings of being a "half blood"
I was also aware that when I was a child
it was very likely
that there could be some jealousy there.......
My baby brother's name was Danny...
and thus the song selected
for this piece is "Danny Boy"
...a favorite of mine.
Maybe it is no accident
that I have been partial to anything
that has to do with Danny's as the focus.

A NEW BABY BROTHER, PRAYER AND BANDAIDS...

Four year old Trish was not so sure
she liked having a baby brother.
Mommy was always too tired to play.
She'd even left Trish
to go someplace called a hospital
to have this baby brother.
All the grown ups had forgotten her.
The only one any of these adults had time for
was this baby brother that they called Danny.

Before Danny was born,
Trish liked to feel her Mommy's tummy.
Once, Trish checked her own tummy
to make sure there was no baby growing there.
Mommy and Daddy had laughed.
Daddy said,
"Babies only grow in big ladies
who have Mommy tummies.....
someday maybe you will have a baby, little one..."
The bigger Mommy's tummy got,
the harder it was for Mommy to hold Trish.

Now that Danny was born, Mommy was always busy.
Mommy seldom rocked Trish anymore.
The "new baby" was always in her arms though...
and that rocker worked overtime with that "baby brother".
Trish was sure Mommy and Daddy had forgotten her.

Trish approached her Daddy...
"Daddy, my tummy and knees hurt."
Trish's Daddy was smart.
"Honey, I am sorry you don't feel good.
I don't know how to help but maybe...
Would you like to say a prayer so you feel better?"
Trish said ok. Her little voice was strong....
"Our Father.....thank you for being my Father...
and for not being so busy
that you don't have time for me....
and thank you....I guess for that new baby brother...
and for my Mommy and Daddy who I love...
even if they don't have time
for anyone but my brother anymore...."

Daddy listened carefully then said after the Amens...
Honey, God knows just how you feel.
When you were born, I looked in that hospital window
I knew I got just what I wanted.....
I saw a little angel laying there....
sent just perfect from God above...
and you know my dear little one,
you will always be that to me.....
you are my little Angel girl.
I love you so much..."
Trish looked bright eyed at her Daddy...
I love you too Daddy...Do you REALLY love me?..."
"Oh,Yes honey so very, very much....
Mommy does too.
You have been such a HELPER
to both of us with this new baby.
You knew our new baby
can't do anything for itself like you can.
When you were little like Danny
we didn't have anyone like you to help us.
It was so much harder then!
We are so very blessed
to have our darling angel daughter.
I love you very, very much and so does Mommy.
"Trish replied,"I love you very, very much too Daddy.

Daddy do you have any bandaids????"
"Why sure honey....why???"
"My knees hurt..."
Trish got her bandaids
and was happy as a little lark.
Those bandaids and her Daddy's words
helped heal her wounds magically.
The bandaids were a visible reminder
to her of her Daddy's love.

Trish's Mommy put those bandaids
in her "baby" book along with a note.
She loved her little girl
so much!
How surprised she was,
when Daddy told her
what had happened.
Mommy wrote in that book,
"Maybe someday you'll need this
for your first born
son or daughter when the new baby comes home.
Hope life will offer you
all the bandaids you need
when life's ouchies come along.
Remember, your Heavenly Father
always keeps a fresh supply.
We'll always love you.....
our Precious Darling
No one could ever
take your place.
Mommy and Daddy"

Trish became interested in her baby brother.
Maybe her little mind could fully accept this baby
through the help of prayer and bandaids.
Having a baby brother to show off could be kind of fun.
Mommy needed her help a lot too.
She was her little helper.
And so it was that life
once again became sweet
for four year old Trish.
<

A SPECIAL THANKS TO:

(1)****"Mark and Laura"****
Thanks Mark
for being a great minister and friend.
Also,Mark, for providing the original sermon
from which this page grew.
Thanks Laura
for being a wonderful
Nursing Instructor and friend.
Without you,Laura,
my nursing education
would have lacked greatly in neurology.

It has been a blessing
to have you both in my life.
Without your assistance
which was so graciously provided,
this page could not have been done.
Glad you two are married to each other *smiles*
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(2)*****For some of the graphics:


A great place to find some graphics
for your special projects.

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(3)*****If I have overlooked giving credit
to anyone who deserves it,
please let me know
and I will very gratefully do so.