SAGE | A Birth Story

You better have your tissues handy for this one.  I know I for sure need them, AGAIN.  This is one of the sweetest, most beautiful births I have ever seen or heard of.  I got a call one day from my friend Heather informing me that her friend Emily just found out recently that her baby girl has been diagnosed with Trisomy 13 and Triploidy, a very rare and fatal diagnosis.  It was even a miracle that the baby was still alive in utero, let alone going full term.  Heather asked me if I’d be willing to photograph a birth like this, and of course I was honored.   I was honored they would allow me into the birth and to witness the miracle of her life. The Lord has graciously given me the ability to be a photographer, and in moments like this, I feel He is able to use my meager gifts for His glory in ways that are above my understanding.  My prayer leading up to the birth was that He would guide my hand and my camera so that whatever came out of that day, Seth and Emily would be blessed beyond measure with photographs of their precious girl and her limited time on this earth.

So Emily was scheduled for an induction on April 17, and I was on-call, ready to come the hospital when the time came.  I showed up to a room FILLED with people – family and friends – all faces red and puffy with tears and sadness.  There was definitely some joy though.  Joy of knowing they will soon meet their daughter, granddaughter, niece, sister, great-granddaughter, friend.  Joy of knowing the Lord had sustained her little life even up until this point where they could meet her face to face.  Their prayer was that she would be born alive and they could hold her and love her and enjoy her.  The love of their family and friends surrounding them was so overwhelming, I could not hold back the tears myself. Emily even showed me the gown that she would be buried in, and other special things they had made for her.  No parent should ever have to think about those kinds of things, but for Seth and Emily, this was their reality.

So when it came time to push, there was both excitement and sadness.  I could see it in everyone’s faces. The moment had finally come and no one knew what to expect.  So when a little girl emerged with her lungs giving out a huge cry, the whole room began to weep.  She was alive, she was crying, and she was beautiful.  I could not keep from crying from behind the camera as you could feel the relief from everyone, especially from Seth & Emily.  This little life had already impacted hundreds of people who have been praying for her and here she was, all 4lb 10oz of sweet baby goodness.

Because her condition is so rare, no one, even the doctors, knew what to expect for her next minutes, hours of life.  But every minute with her was abundantly received with thanksgiving and love.  So one by one, family members got the chance to hold her, kiss her, pray over her, and worship together.  And much to everyone’s surprise, Sage was doing really well.  And even more surprising, she is STILL doing well.  Two weeks out, and this sweet girl has given her family more joy than ever imagined.  The triploidy part of her original diagnosis was removed, although it was confirmed she still has Trisomy 13.  No one knows what her next days, weeks, years will look like, except for the One who created her, knit her together perfectly, and loves her more than even her parents ever could.  But our hope is not in ourselves or what we see.  Our hope is in a sovereign God who is GOOD all the time.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Please be in prayer for Seth and Emily, that their time with Sage would be sweet, and that they would receive grace upon grace in the days ahead….

Sage’s twin big brothers were even around to get to meet their new baby sister…