SACRIFICE...

                                      

                                                           

Deirdre was discharged from the hospital two days later. Her dad, mum and siblings had all trouped in and out of the ward over the last forty-eight hours. Their excitement knew no bounds at seeing the new born baby. It had been ages since the cry of a baby had been heard. Deirdre’s kid brother who had been present when her labour pains began had been the last baby in the family. She was surprised at all the love and attention she had received since the baby arrived. With the baby in her arms, Deirdre sat with her dad at the back of the chauffeur driven car. She had no excuse to be sad and gloomy! On the contrary, she had every reason to shout for joy. If she cared to admit the plain truth, God in His mercies had caused His Face to shine on her.

 When she got to her parents’ home, she laid her baby to rest in the beautiful cot adorned with teddy bears. Deirdre stood for a while just staring at him; she was awestruck. Involuntarily, she bent down and planted a soft kiss on his tiny cheek and whispered his name, “Jason”. Her gaze trailed than his tiny body and took in his small hands, fingers, legs, toes; his curly dark hair, and the tiny green jumper he was wearing. He looked so tiny, and yet so perfect. How could human beings be so small when they are born, and then grow into huge adults later on? She wondered.  “God is simply wonderful”, Deirdre muttered.

Just then Jason stirred, making tiny muffled sounds. Deirdre patted him gently on the back and he promptly went back to sleep. At that instant, Deirdre felt a rush of maternal love for her baby and she knew that without a doubt, she would live a life of sacrifice for her son.