"Precious Miracle"

John and Margaret Collins was a biracial couple living in Gary Indiana. Things were kind of rough for the Collins because John was a black man trying to make a living for his family. John and Margaret had lost two babies to miscarriages, so when Margaret found out she was expecting again, they both counted it a blessing because they wanted to be parents so badly. Mrs. Collins was so happy that they were finally going to be parent that they celebrated with a bottle of apple cider. As Margaret's pregnancy advanced, she started to have her usual problems, like she did with her other pregnancies and this made her very afraid that this was going to be another let down. She prayed about it and kept her doctor appointments the with her doctor. Dr. Jones informed her after doing a battery of test, that the baby had a heart problem and they want know how bad it is, until she was in her seventh month of pregnancy. The Collins heart's were broken again because they thought this would be a safe pregnancy, They did their regular prayers together as they did before, but this time something was different, they felt a new hope for their baby and they held onto it for dear life.

Margaret for the next few months practically live in the bed, trying not to lose her baby; Margaret was tested and they wasn't happy with the doctors diagnosis. Dr. Jones told the Collins that their baby had a congenital heart problem and if she make it through the delivery and live; that she probably would need a heart transplant by the time she was seven, this was very sad news coming from the doctor. The Collins went home and continued their prayer vigil every day at seven o'clock, they would prayer together for the safety of their baby, which was a little girl. So, at one time in their prayer vigils, Mrs Collins told Mr. Collins the babies name if she makes it, will be Precious Miracle Collins, Mr. Collins loved the name and that was to be their daughters name from now on. they thought this baby would be their precious miracle, and in a way she was just that. Miracle was born on Valentines day, she was such a beautiful big brown eyed, red curly hair baby girl; and had such a huge smile that she grew up with, that would make any one's heart melt. after Miracle's birth, she grew up like any other young girl would; wanting to play and have fun but her sickness caused her to be home bound most of the times. She was a five year old girl with a lot of spirit and wanted to play and do things like the other little girls, but her health prevented it.

Mr. and Mrs. Collins really began to worry when Miracle started playing less and sleeping more, and that was because she was tired most of the time. Miracle's energy levels was so low that she just stop trying to play at all. when Miracle was born, her parent gave her a small red bible and as she grew up, Mrs. Collins would always read from her little red bible, it had gotten to be a family time of prayer and scripture, even though Miracle was young, that little red bible became a great part of their life. The reading of the bible also helped Mr. and Mrs Collins stay focused and grounded in Jesus. Miracle had a doctor appointment on her six birthday, the Collins were dreading the doctor visit, but there wasn't any way around it. so, they all got dressed and went to the doctor's office and Dr. Jones told the Collins that he was going to run another battery of test on Miracle; to see how bad her heart condition was. The Collins were reluctant, but they knew it was the only way that they could find out about Miracle heart conditions.The testing took a couple of hours and the Collins were pacing back and forth on the doctor's carpet, The doctor finally enter the waiting room and told them that the test show considerable damage to Miracle heart and that she would need a transplant as soon as one becomes available. The Collins didn't want to show any emotions because Miracle was in the room.

The doctor told them that the nurse would schedule Miracle next appointment and he would see them then. The Collins drove back from the doctors visit, with the thought that their only child was in desperate need of a heart, so she could keep living. Miracle ask her parent was her news good or bad, they told her that she needed a brand new heart, Miracle was always kept abreast of her condition at a young age. Miracle didn't have a lot to say after her mother her she needed a brand new heart, she fell asleep in the back of the car and slept until they reached home. Dr. Jones told them that Miracle would start to sleep a lot because of the weakness of her heart and just let her get much rest as she much as she wants. When Mr. and Mrs.Collins put Miracle to bed, they held hands and said a prayer for Miracle,That God would bless her with a brand new healthy heart,because that would be the only way for her to live. They wanted their Precious Miracle to live and enjoy life, just like any other little child. The Collins took very good care of their daughter and watched her closely, for any news signs or symptons that she would be dying soon. Miracle heart health continue to deteriorate, and one day, Miracle came to her mom and asked her if God was going to look into his bag of blessings and give her a brand new heart, it was all Mrs.Collins could do, to keep from losing it in front of Miracle, so she swallowed hard, while keeping back the tears and told her little angel That God has all kinds of blessings in his bag and that she was sure that he had a special blessing just for her. Miracle eyes lit up and she said, Momma God will send me a brand new heart soon, Mrs. Collins agreed with her.

Miracle asked her mom for her favorite chocolate chip cookies and milk, Mrs. Collins smiled and brought it to her, She enjoyed her cookies and milk and decided she wanted watch the television. On Miracles 7th birthday, the Collins gave her a big birthday bash because the didn't know whether or not, their Precious Miracle would see another birthday.

Benny Faye Douglass