My Wee Baby

Never had I seen a place like this before
Wee little babies all fighting for the same
To live another minute, hour, maybe just a day
Parents begging, pleading with God
Let my tiny preemie live a long and healthy life.

Like me parents all around, shocked and sad
The love and heart of their lives fighting for each breath
They lay inside the warmth of an incubator
I am sure each one wondering why they are there
What happened to the safe place they once lived?

A blanket hides each baby from the bright lights
The sweet, tiny baby hidden beneath an array of tubes
Soft, fine hair covering a baby that was not yet ready to be born
So small, fragile and fitting in the palm of my hand
Babies all in row, fighting and growing all the same.

Parents sit close by, never wanting to leave
Each one tierd from the shock and horror of what they see
Wondering each minute how their baby will be
Never knowing why God chose this for their innocent baby
Trying to see the light, maybe their baby will be ok.

Machines they ding, hearts panic as alarms ring loud
Please nurse, come quick is my baby doing ok?
Teams of doctors come around talking of a plan
Deciding what is best for the littlest, helpless babies
Offering support to each mommy and daddy as they go.

They tell us to leave, go home and rest for your baby
Look to the future, go prepare for the home coming
My heart breaks as that time looks so very far away
Go they insist, we are here to care and do for them
Call when you need, everything we will share.

My heart breaking I take a long and lasting look
I do not want to forget anything about my sweet wee baby
I leave an angel looking over her, watch her for me, keep her safe
Opening the door to her incubator I touch her so softly
Knowing this one touch has to last what will seem an eternity.

My heart is stabbed a million times as I leave my helpless baby
Please God I beg, let her be alright, keep her safe through the night
Each minute is like a moment in hell, wondering and waiting
Morning will never come soon enough, each hour I awake
Calling many times to see if my baby is alright.

Weeks go by, each day is another adventure, new growth
Each time I visit she has succeeded something new
Watching a new nurse each and every day care for my wee baby
Learning and knowing the sound of each alarm, what is good and bad
Slowly learning to care for my baby through a tiny incubator.

Running each morning to the hospital, breathing a sigh of relief
Each time I see my baby is well, crying for those I see saying goodbye
Selfishly praying my baby will make it through, waiting by her side
Watching nurses shave hair from her head to make room for another IV
My heart aches as I hold back the tears, holding my baby still as she screams.

Waiting for the chance to hold my baby close to me a short time each day
Smelling her, softly touching, caressing her, never wanting to let go
She is growing they say, drinking and keeping herself warm
Soon she will be able to come home with you, so I keep the faith
My baby is a lucky one, big and strong for being born so soon.

Then the dreaded, I awake in the night and I know something is not right
So used to the nurse telling me she is growing and sleeping so sound
Tonight is different, holding my breath and waiting for her nurse to come
Then I hear the words as I sit in shock, something is wrong
We rush as fast as can be, wondering all the while what we will see.

We are stopped at the door, I look to where I left my baby
Machines, nurses and doctors surround her there, we have to wait
My heart barely beats, preparing myself for what I will hear
Finally I am told they have no idea, she has stopped responding
No more breathing on her own, we have to wait and see.

I go to my baby who now looks so withdrawn and sick
Lord I beg why has this happened, she was doing so well
Do not let her die, keep her safe, let her live another day.
Sitting by her side, nothing matters, time inches by
She should recover they say but I still continue to pray.

Each day follows another, five weeks seeming like eternity
An experience not easily forgotten, life can change in an instant
Though today is the day to bring my wee baby home to stay
God spared her, made her well for me, happy hearted are we
Thank you god for standing by my side and answering all my prayers!