Living Miracles: Perfect for new Preemie Parents


© Eric Jordan Jensen

When Kimberly A. Powell and Kim Wilson both had babies prematurely, they scoured libraries in search of a book that would "tell us what to expect and how to legitimize the emotions we were feeling" (xxiii). That book did not exist. Now, it does. After a fruitless search for a volume to help them "survive the time in the hospital and afterward" (xxiii), Kimberly and Kim decided to compile their own. Living Miracles: Stories of Hope from Parents of Premature Babies(2000) is the result of their collaboration.

Living Miracles contains two dozen stories and poems written by parents of premature babies. The accounts are organized according to the gestational age of the babies. Since my son arrived at 29 weeks, I immediately turned to the section about 29-weekers. As I read, I couldn't help but realize how different my experience was from the other parents', but also how similar. Although my baby weighed considerably more at birth than either of their children, we all felt the same emotions: guilt, frustration, anger and disappointment.

Although the stories are inspiring, I was particularly touched by the poetry. The prologue to Living Miracles consists of a poem by Sandra D. Moore entitled, "The Preemie Experience." The verses describe life with a preemie in simple, touching and even humorous words. I also enjoyed "Megan's Prayer" on page 133. The lines, penned by Gloria L. Etes, salute the medical staff that cared for her tiny granddaughter.

Living Miracles is a great book for new parents of preemies who need a lift. It lifts and inspires, reminding us of how tough our preemies really are.

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