The Christmas Miracle

Sometimes a story comes like a crashing wave and I have to share it. This is one of those times. I shared my sister’s story of adoption last year on my blog, and after spending two days with my niece, this story came to me. Giving a baby up for adoption is the greatest sacrifice a mother can make. I hope this story will touch the young girl who need to hear God has not abandoned her. Maybe he simply answered in a way you didn’t expect…

The Christmas Miracle, a short story

Based on a true story

Ice stuck to the windshield like a glove and her tires swerved on the slick surface. Maddie gripped the steering wheel tighter and glanced in her rear view mirror. Her baby was fast asleep, at least for now. Maddie flipped channels last night, and every show portrayed perfect families gathered around the Christmas tree. But Maddie’s life was far from perfect. She was at the end of her rope.

The snow left a thick blanket of white and she had to slow down. At this rate, Maddie would never make it to her Gramma’s house in time for Christmas dinner. Her tired eyes filled with tears. Gramma was the only person in her life who supported Maddie’s decision to keep the baby.

Maddie’s boyfriend dumped her the minute she breathed the word pregnant. Her mom told her to “get rid of it”, and drove Maddie to a center, but Maddie didn’t go through with the procedure.

She called Gramma from the center. “I’m only sixteen. I’m still a kid. How am I supposed to raise one?” Gramma voice trembled. “You have a life inside you, Maddie. A baby girl or boy, who one day,will be a blessing to someone.” Maddie couldn’t get Gramma’s words out of her head.

Now, a year later, Maddie didn’t feel blessed. In fact, she was out of options. As the ice thickened outside, Maddie’s heart melted. She didn’t know if she believed in God, but she didn’t know who else to turn to. “I can’t do this anymore. God, if you’re out there,please show me what to do. I need a miracle.”

Maddie didn’t see the black ice until her car spun one hundred and eighty degrees, falling fifteen feet into the snow-covered ditch below. Her head throbbed and she could hear Chelsea’s wails. She pushed at her door but it wouldn’t budge. Maddie flew to the back seat, unbuckled Chelsea, checked her tiny body for injuries, and squeezed her tight. She tried to think but her aching head made it impossible. She’d left her cell phone at home so she couldn’t even call for help. Maddie doubted anyone saw her swerve off the road because she hadn’t seen another car for miles. She was freezing and had to get help. Maddie pressed Chelsea against her chest and wrapped her coat around them.

 “This is your answer?” she shouted toward the sky. “What kind of God are you?” She couldn’t hold back any longer. Maddie sobbed until everything went black.

When she awoke, muffled voices and a blinding light filled the room. She tried to sit up but the pain in her head made her dizzy and nauseous. Maddie opened her mouth but her parched throat burned. She forced her eyes to focus as a tall man came into view.

His hair was the color of snow and his blue eyes were iridescent. Maddie felt a sense of peace she couldn’t explain. His melodic voice soothed her as he spoke. “You are loved.”

That was all he said, but the power of his words burned deep into Maddie’s soul. “My baby? Is she okay?”

But the man didn’t answer. Someone touched her arm and Maddie turned as a young nurse wrapped a blood pressure cuff around her arm. “Oh good, you’re awake. You gave us quite a scare.” She pointed to her name tag. “I’m Ali. Is there anything I can get you?”

Maddie cleared her throat. “He didn’t tell me if my baby is okay.”

“He?” Ali frowned. “Your baby is just fine. Not a scratch on her.”

Relief swept over Maddie.“The man…standing in the door said—”

“What man?” Ali swung her head left to right, scanning the room. “There’s no one in here except me.” Maddie pointed to the doorway. “You hit your head hard, sweetie. I better tell the doctor you’re seeing things.”

 “No, wait.” Maddie reached out to Ali. “How did I get here?”

Ali put away the blood pressure cuff and fiddled with a monitor next to Maddie’s bed. “Some guy brought you to the hospital and dropped you and your baby off.” She smiled and patted Maddie’s arm. “Your baby is lucky to have you for a mom. Most teenagers wouldn’t be so brave.”

Tears stung Maddie’s eyes and guilt hit her like an avalanche. She wasn’t a good mom at all. She couldn’t take care of Chelsea anymore and had planned on leaving her with Gramma. Maddie’s body shook with sobs.

Ali gently patted Maddie’s arm. “It’ll be all right.”

“Ali,” she said through her sobs. “Will you stay with me a minute.”

“Sure.” Ali pulled up a chair next to Maddie’s bed and let Maddie have a good cry. When Maddie regained her composure, Ali spoke up. “My husband and I have been trying to have kids for four years but nothing is working. I’ve cried like that a hundred times. Sometimes it’s just what we need to get through another day.” Maddie nodded and reached for a tissue. Ali stood up and adjusted Maddie’s IV. “Sorry to burden you with that. It’s just, well, you’re very blessed, you know?”

Maddie turned away. “That’s what my Gramma always says.”

Ali smiled. “I think I would like your Gramma.” She turned then stopped at the bedside table. “Oh, I almost forgot. The guy that brought you to the hospital left this for you. Something about helping you make a decision.”

She placed a small box on Maddie’s lap. Maddie’s watery eyes widened. “What did the man look like?”

Ali looked at the ceiling and placed one hand on her chin. “Tall, blonde hair. No white hair. Kind of pale, with the bluest eyes you’ve ever seen.”

Maddie smiled. Is it possible? Slowly, she opened the box and gasped. Inside was a tiny pink teddy bear. Maddie’s eyes burned with tears. The teddy bear was the first thing Maddie ever bought for Chelsea. She had planned to keep it as a reminder of the daughter she gave away. How did it end up here? Attached to the tiny bear was a note. Maddie fumbled with the paper and read three simple words.

“You are loved.”

Maddie placed her head against the pillow and wept. God hadn’t abandoned her. He’d answered her in away she didn’t expect. By the time Gramma arrived at the hospital, Maddie’s knew what she had to do.

Ali grabbed her cellphone and called her husband. He came within minutes and together, they held their baby girl for the first time. As Maddie watched the scene, she was again filled with peace. Chelsea blessed another family with her sweet, tender smile, and God had answered Maddie’s prayers. Chelsea was the Christmas miracle.