Sam’s Story

You will not believe this story.

If I had written this for a script, I would have been told it was too far fetched.

10 years ago, I gave birth to our second daughter, Christine, at 23 weeks.  She went straight up to heaven.

I am not retelling her story today.  I am telling you about a sweet baby name Sam. One year ago my friend Lucy asked me to come to her birth.  I was honored. 

When the call came, I did not hesitate.  I arrived at the hospital around 8:30pm.  Her sister asked if I was sure it was ok, knowing it was Christine’s birthday.  I assured her it was.  I mentioned to her sister that Christine was born in the 10 o’clock hour and that there was something cool about being there on her day. 

I loved the excitement in the room. The anticipation of the baby’s arrival was palpable.

Only about two hours after I arrived, sweet Sam entered this world.  It was magical.

Something kept pulling at me.  This voice kept saying, Caroline check your phone.  I dug into the depths of my emails and found it.  Christine’s time of birth.  10:52pm.

I paused a moment.  Then I asked across the room to the nurse, what was the time of birth.  10:52pm, she said. I stood in shock.  In disbelief.  Quiet in my own mind for awhile. 

This was Sam’s day so I decided I would quietly mention it to her sister but leave this story for another day.  But as I stood there talking to Lucy and Ryan before I left, the moment felt right and I shared it with them.  The three of us marveled at this.  How could it be?! 

I still have few words to describe how this felt.  Still feels.

I could never have dreamt this up.  The fact that I got to attend a birth on her birthday was special enough.  But this.  This is just unimaginable.  

Lucy and I have reflected on this many times in the last year.  What does it mean?

I don’t know.  We most likely will never know. 

What I do know, is there is an unbelievable connection between heaven and earth.  I felt it the day I held Christine and I felt it again the day Sam was born.  

I have had tiny, minuscule in comparison, moments to this over the years.  Moments I knew my connection to my daughter in heaven was present.  

For those who have lost.  Maybe still in the thick of grief.  While my story I share today is one in a million at least, just know that through your life, connection to the ones you have lost will show up when you least expect it.