"We Can Be Bitter Or We Can Choose to Appreciate What We're Given"

An amazingly touching story over at Michelle Malkin.

The original, full story is over at KUSA.

From their reporting:

When Rob and Gina Harris found out they were expecting their first child they say were overwhelmed with gratitude and filled with thoughts and plans for their future family.

"We had all these visions and dreams for what our baby would grow up to be," said Gina.

Rob Harris said, "At our 20 week ultrasound we found out that he was a boy so I went out to the Nike store and had to buy a little sports outfit."

An ultrasound also revealed a problem about their unborn son, David.

As all of us parents recall, we always hope to have the "perfect" child, with everything in working order, and those tests at the doctor's are slightly dreaded, because there's always the fear of "What if something's wrong?"

And for this couple, the fear came true:

"I didn't have amniotic fluid because David most likely did not have kidneys," said Gina.

Doctors explained that amniotic fluid is critical for lungs to develop. The condition that the Harris' son had is called Potter's Syndrome. It is extremely rare and extremely serious.

"The doctor told us that the babies usually die of respiratory failure after they are born," said Gina.

The doctor explained that as long as the baby was inside Gina's womb he'd be able to grow and thrive. Gina could provide everything her son needed. The question was: Could their son live on his own?

What would you do?

Not surprisingly, the doctor offered to terminate the pregnancy.

They'd hear nothing of it.

"I decided to hold tightly to my faith and push through my fear," said Gina. "I decided to put myself aside and know that this baby has a life right now and I am meant to be his mother right now."

Her husband added, "We decided we were going to enjoy our time with our son even if he is in Gina's womb and we can't see him yet, he's still alive and he's still kicking."

The couple made the most of their pregnancy, enjoying their time with their son while he was in utero, knowing that his birth would likely cause his death.

Many couples hope the time during a pregnancy goes by quickly. The focus is on the birth. For the Harrises, the time went too quickly.

After 34 weeks together, David was coming.

And then, for so many couples a joyous time...

David Paul Harris was delivered at 3:25 in the morning, but passed away.

Their time together... six short hours... literally, a lifetime.

"We held him and like any mom and dad we examined his features," said Rob. "We were amazed to see how dark and thick his hair was."

"I remember how soft his skin felt," said Gina. "He was perfectly formed. I remember how soft his skin felt, those little things that even a picture cannot ever capture, so I made sure I remembered those things."

They had six hours with their son.

"I found some comfort in the fact that he went from safe in my womb to God's arms," said Gina.

And then, Gina says the quote that I latched onto. I so clearly remember that same crystalline moment for Ellicia and I. I remember when we received our horrible news, and how we decided to face it. Gina sums it up so well:

We have a choice. We can be bitter or we can choose to appreciate what were given," Gina said.

That's something that we often face at times in our lives... and I'm so touched by this story, especially this time of year, as 31 December is marching steadily towards me... I recall that decision, and what a tough, wonderful decision it is.

Not everyone, hopefully, will face this decision in such magnitude as the Davis', or E &I, or countless others every day. Maybe you'll face it in a situation that to the rest of the world as a minor pebble, but to you, is a massive stone rolling towards you. However this question manifests itself, please remember your choice.

And I pray... you'll choose not to waste your time with bitterness. Because then you'll have memories of bitterness, and not happiness and joy.