How can he possibly sleep? Blazing rays of fluorescent lights pierce your eyes and machines beep and buzz and scream and a cacophony of chattering people cluster in hallways. And he’s so small, so unbelievably small. You’d never guess that there are working lungs inside those two and a half pounds. Barely working lungs. Lungs that need support, but he’s so strong. There’s February slush outside, but in here you can pretend it’s April, just as it was supposed to be. With violets blooming outside your kitchen window. With robins tidying nests in your shutters and your husband grumbling that he should clean them out, but he never does. He can’t bring himself to uproot those robins’ lives. He’s a big softie and he’s absolutely smitten with those two and a half pounds. Two and a half pounds of pale, wrinkled skin, determined, resilient. He just couldn’t wait to meet you. Couldn’t wait for April.

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Shreya Dhital
Shreya Dhital(@shreya-dhital)
2 years ago

Beautiful use of imagery 🙂

Eric Radcliffe
Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
2 years ago

A Baby, a Robin, and a Husband, all woven together. I liked this story.

Katy Bizi
Katy Bizi(@katy-bizi)
2 years ago

A very well written story. It has it all; plot, emotions, beautiful descriptions and so much more that draw a reader in.

Fuji
Fuji(@fuji)
2 years ago

This is one of my favorite stories so far. The breathless tone of the writing is a whole story in itself, and the reader can’t help but get carried away with the excitement! I also love the glimpse of the husband, the new father, grumbling about the robin’s nests but reluctant to disturb them. The big softie, smitten with those two and a half pounds of pure resilience! I look forward to… Read more »

musing mind
musing mind(@musing-mind)
2 years ago

It is very intriguing and real. Loved reading it.

Sandra James
Sandra James(@sandra-james)
2 years ago

I love it! My first child was two months prem, weighing three and a half pounds, and although he’s now 41, with an eight-year-old son of his own, you never forget those lights, that wonder and magic. Mine was due 23 February but decided he couldn’t wait and wanted to see his first Christmas, so arrived on 23 December 🙂 Beautifully written and a lovely reminder of a special time for me.… Read more »

Susan Dawson
Susan Dawson(@susan-dawson)
2 years ago

I am one of those miracles. My parents lost my twin but will still have been filled with the wonder you describe.

Linda Rock
Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
2 years ago

So much emotion in your story Kate, how could anyone fail to feel for that tiny baby who just couldn’t wait to be born. Beautifully written.

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