March 2, 2010, is the day our Willow Rose was born. We were expecting her around March 13. The day started like any other. Chad got up and went to work. I got the girls ready and sent them off to school. It was late that afternoon when my water broke and we realized this was not going to be any ordinary day. This was going to be the day of our daughter's birth.

Thus began the frenzy as friends and family were called and I, in true fashion, began to panic. I am a planner, and giving birth was not on the agenda for the day. But even in my anxiety-ridden state, I was completely over-the-top excited as was my husband, Chad.

The events of the day went rather quickly and I found myself being prepped for a C-section just a few short hours after arriving at the hospital. At exactly 6:15 that evening, Willow Rose made her grand entrance into the world.

I will never forget the moment we first met as the nurse held Willow Rose in front of me. I told my 6-pound 14-ounce bundle how beautiful she was, thinking her eyes are deep as if they already tell a story. Soon, she was whisked to the nursery for the routine post-birth exam, and I awaited our meeting again in my room. Chad stayed with her and I anxiously longed to hold her. Our family gathered outside, and friends waited for our call, excited to hear the good news and get their chance to meet Willow.

I recall Chad wheeling her down the hall in the bassinet with our doctor following behind. Finally, I got to hold my beautiful baby. The doctor came around to the side of my bed. He stood there calmly, collected his thoughts, and said, 'First of all' (not the words a parent wants to hear) Willow is as healthy as can be. Her heart and lungs sound great, but (another word you never want to hear) I have reason to believe that Willow has Down syndrome.'

This is the point in which I am sure that I felt a wide range of emotions but those moments are a blur, lost in time. I vaguely remember staring at my doctor with what I am sure was a blank look on my face and at a loss for words-first time in my life I have ever been at a loss for words. Although the evening was filled with confusion and blurred moments, this I remember:
 

A husband, with tears in his eyes, who took his wife's hand and promised, as if it were our wedding day, to be there for better or for worse.

A family who stood beside a bed, holding hands, crying, praying, and how in that moment their lives were changed and this ordinary day became so extraordinary. |

A mother who, when family left and the husband went to sleep, stayed awake all night in the dark weeping and praying without ceasing. As the sun was rising early that next morning this was the verse that brought comfort and peace: Psalm 30:5, 'Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.'

Now, there was no more sadness and no more sorrow because this mother and this father had been given a gift. Willow Rose brings joy, hope, and love to her parents, sisters, and family.

Little did we know years ago that all of these life events would prepare us for that night'the night our beautiful, amazing daughter was born.

We had weathered storms before, from troubled childhoods to job loss. God had always been there. He has never forsaken us. Now, as we face our role as parenting our precious Willow Rose, He continues to equip us for the journey and for our responsibilities. To us, our baby is a testament of God's unfailing love.


Letter written by Chad, which he read at Willow Rose's dedication ceremony:

Willow,

We truly believe you are a special gift from God. Psalm 139:13-14a reads, 'For you created my inmost being| you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.'

We look forward to watching you grow in both your physical capabilities and your love for Jesus. You have given our family so much joy in the short time you have been with us. Although we know there will be challenges ahead, we also trust God will equip us to handle those.

Thank you, Willow, for-

. . . helping us realize what is really important in life
. . . being you
. . . opening us up to a whole new and exciting world
. . . helping us truly understand unconditional love
. . . changing our lives
. . . completing our family.

We love you so much,

Daddy, Mommy, Gillian, and Ava

Amy Marcum grew up in Evansville, Indiana. Now she resides with her husband, Chad, and three daughters in Spring Hill, Kansas. She is a graduate student of MidAmerica Nazarene University and is working on master's degree in psychology.

Holiness Today, 2010

Please note: This article was originally published in 2010. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.