ACROSS THE MILES

A MOTHERS LOVE

I walk into the childrens hospital, upstairs to the NICU, along the way I see many children, some entering the hospital and some leaving, in the corridor are pictures of children who graduated from the NIcu (neo natal intensive care unit) and have gone home. some as small as a few ounces when they were born and some merely a pound.
I peek through the window and I see her sitting beside her baby, intently watching his every move, so aware of his feelings, aware of his pain,talking to him,telling him that soon he will be home.she has been doing this everyday for the last two months.she is there at the break of dawn and untill the sun sets, if she could be there twenty four hours she would be. she turns around and sees me at he window and becons to me to come in.
I scrub my hands for five minutes, put on a hospital gown and gently walk in, not wanting to disturb the other babies, I look around the unit and see many babies in isolettes.amidst the alarms and lights the babies are asleep except for a little wiggle now and then.
"Come see my baby "she says with a smile. I look at him,he is just adorable, has the sweetest face one can imagine.he sleeps soundly,mom puts her little finger into his and he holds on,knowing that no matter what she is there when he opens his eyes.It is Dad who stays the night,he goes home sleeps for an hour and goes to work.They are always there watching,waiting and encouraging him to hold on,and that they love him and are waiting to take him home.
I stay for a little while,and leave.I am sad because the baby is ill, he is recovering from surgery and I know how much he is wanted and this is her only child.but I am amazed at how positive she is .She is always with a smile,never heard her complain or ask" why"or about being tired,just happy to be there for her child waiting for the day when she will take him home.I also left the hospital thinking of how, I have complained about being ill,of how life is treating me and I thought of Anjali and her smile .A lesson to be learned.who says LIfe is fair.

Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well.
-- Josh Billings