Baby Joshua

Years ago I spoke with the Chaplin of a hospital in Kansas City. Within the hour he spoke very highly of his position and gave myself and others bits of wisdom to carry in our pockets...though, throughout the hour there was not one piece of wisdom greater than the story that he told which will forever be carried in my heart.

A mother. A young mother asked to see this Chaplin multiple times. After hours upon hours of waiting due to a very busy day he finally stepped up to the doorway of his favorite part of the hospital-the babies. Full of life, full of compassion, full of life waiting before them. He said that walking into that room was like walking into the throws of God's hope. The new mother sat in the rocking chair holding her beautiful new baby. She did not acknowledge the fact that he had finally come to her call. The Chaplin cleared his throat. "aaahemm". She did not look up. He quietly said "That's a beautiful baby you have there". The mother still did not look up from her child. Instead, a very quiet "Mmhmm" escaped from her lips. Pleased that she knew he was there, "I'm sorry it took me so long to get here, busy day". Again, nothing but the faint hum of "Mmhmm" from the mother. Eager to meet the newborn, "Boy or Girl?". After a few moments, the mother affectionately whispered "A boy...". Peeking over the invisible fence between them, the Chaplin nods in approval of her happiness. "A handsome boy he is. Does he have a name?" Another few rocks of the chair later, "Joshua" is revealed to be the his name. "Joshua David". Together they both share the pleasure of silently meeting one another for the first time. Without ever looking up from her precious baby boy, the mother tells her own story-of her son.

"You see, I know that you have had a long day, and I thank you for seeing me. I also know that you know I am Jewish and are probably wondering why I asked you to see me. But, I simply wanted to share the joy of life with you today. I want to tell you about my son Joshua David...We have such plans for him. God blessed us with this birth and He has such plans for him as well. A child, learning to crawl, learning to walk, the mess of crayons strewn along the living room and stuck in the crevasse of the carpet between the wall. A lot of firsts too. His first smile. His first laugh. His first steps. His first birthday. His first friend. His first day of school. His first date. Even his first fight...A lot of firsts. A big heart he has too. Caring. Intentional. Giving. My husband and I would spend hours talking about what kind of a person we hoped he would become. A loyal friend. A loving husband. A selfless father...and someday...a wise grandfather. A whole life we would think of for our son...a beautiful life. A beautiful life. A beautiful life...Joshua's life..." at this point the new mother looked up at the Chaplin for the first time with tears filling her eyes. "...But my beautiful son Joshua will never actually be able to live the life we dreamed for him. We were blessed to have him for only a few moments before he was gone. Stillborn they said...but you know...it is the Jewish faith that he is not gone entirely-just the physical body. His life still lives-as long as his story is told. Chaplin, I told you the story of our son Joshua just now, and it is my hope that you can continue to keep the memory of my son alive by telling his story-telling of his beautiful life and what a blessing he is to all. My son, my beautiful Joshua. My beautiful beautiful Joshua..."