This was a great video that I first saw a few years back. The story is wonderful but I must admit that what this young man does at the end is amazing! Please feel free to pass it on and I would love to know what you think of it...leave a comment below! There is a saying that goes something like this: "To know how strong the tea is you must first add hot water". I believe this couples story gives us an illustration of that. Just four days after finding out she was pregnant, Carolyn Savage went from the high of expecting the child she had tried so hard to conceive, to the unfathomable low of knowing the baby was not hers to keep. Carolyn Savage had had a history of miscarriages, and she and Sean turned to in vitro fertilization. They already had three other children and hoped for a fourth. But On Feb. 16, 2009, the Sylvania, Ohio, couple learned that the frozen embryo of another couple had been mistakenly transferred into Carolyn's womb. The Savages could have fought for custody, or Carolyn could have had an abortion. Tethered to a strong Catholic faith, Carolyn chose to carry the baby she and Sean called "Little Man" to term. On Sept. 24, 2009, the Savages returned their newborn son, whom they'd held for 30 minutes, to his biological parents -- Shannon and Paul Morell of Sterling Heights, Mich., who named him Logan. In the months since Logan's birth, the Savages have had a long, painful, somewhat "ambiguous" journey. "We have three children. Or do we have four? A strange question, but the kind that parents who have lost a child ask themselves from time to time. That absent child is always with you, a loss you feel some days as yearning and other days in a gasp of pain. "This was a child whom I nurtured and we both protected from the forces conspiring against his survival," writes Carolyn, now 41, in the book's prologue. "Yet I understand that I may never hold him in my arms again and that the next time I see him, he will think of me as a stranger." Throughout the 36 weeks that Carolyn carried "Little Man," the two couples maintained a respectful relationship. The Morells described in their 2010 book, "Misconception," their own harrowing wait, knowing that with Carolyn's past history of miscarriages, their child might never be born. In an interview with ABCNews.com, the Savages said that even though they considered it a "gift" to return Logan to his biological parents, the medical mistake tore their lives apart. Their marriage was under tremendous strain, and after the delivery, Carolyn was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Both have sought counseling. They were in an unusual position: Their son had not died, but he was gone. "It's a loss that has no closure," said Pauline Boss, professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota, who described the ambiguity in her book, "Ambiguous Loss." "People have a difficult time resolving this," she told ABCNews.com. "There are no rituals or sympathy cards for them." "He'll always be my baby, even though he's their son," said Carolyn. "There was no way of entering into a pregnancy and taking a 12-cell embryo and turning it into a human being and not feel a maternal connection to him." The embryo mix-up happened at a fertility clinic that a legal settlement prohibits the Savages from naming, but the May 2010 agreement required them to explain in writing what went wrong. A lab employee where the frozen embryos were stored had labeled Carolyn's birth year as 3/19/1967, rather than 3/19/1969 -- a detail that helped identify the eventual error. Embryos are stored alphabetically, and when the clinic opened the "S" file, it mistakenly pulled an information sheet for Shannon Savage -- now Shannon Savage Morell, who used her birth name at the time of the original IVF procedure. From that point on, the Morells' embryos were labeled and associated with the Savage's paperwork, and their sheet was tucked in the back of the file. Oddly, on the day of the transfer, Carolyn had noticed the wrong birth date when the nurse attached her wrist bracelet. "It had my name, Sean's name, my Social Security and Sean's and my date of birth," she said. "I said, 'Wait a minute, that's not my birthday,' and made a joke. 'I'm not 40 yet.'" The nurse took a ballpoint pen and changed the 7 to a 9. Nine days later, a data-entry person filing the paperwork wondered about the conflicting birth year and rifled through the file, finding the Morells' embryo information sheet in the back. Until then -- five days after the implantation of the embryo -- no one, not even a doctor, had cross-checked the labels and information sheets. In the first few weeks after learning of the mistakenly implanted embryo, the Savages didn't tell anyone except their lawyer, their priest and a counselor. "We made the choices quickly," said Sean. "We also knew that we were embarking on a very different journey, but we didn't stop going in that direction, because we thought it was right. But we didn't have a full understanding of what the pitfalls were." Their story came not long after the shutdown of an in vitro fertilization center at Ochsner Hospital in Elmwood, La., triggered by a possible mix-up in the labeling of frozen embryos. Similar mistakes have been made in clinics in New York and Great Britain. Six weeks into the pregnancy, Carolyn developed a clot in her uterus that could have threatened the fetus. The Savages provided the Morells with weekly updates. "We kept assuring them we wouldn't terminate and would never fight for custody," said Carolyn. "But Sean and I were emotionally tapped." So far, they have had two visits with Logan, who is now 19 months old. The Savages have no formal agreement with the Morells about future visits, or whether Logan will ever know the truth about his birth. "His mom and dad will decide what's best for him," said Sean. ~taken from ABC interview When I first saw their story I was completely blown away with the courage and selflessness this couple showed! Sean and Carolyn Savage will always have my utmost respect for their courage to make the right decision no matter how much it hurts! Would we have the courage to do the same as they? If you to watch their story just click here and look for the title "Inconceivable". I welcome your comments and would love to hear what you think of this couples decision. As a quick update Sean and Carolyn welcomed their fifth child (conceived quote " the old-fashioned way"!) born Nov 12, 2014! I read this story when I was in high school and have always remembered it; going back to it many times. The truth is so simple yet so easy to forget! Its the story of a frontier pastor's wife's very special Christmas when her faith was put to the test. Would you take a moment and read it; I pray that you will get as big a blessing as I did! Christmas time on the frontier I remember a day during one winter that stands out like a boulder in my life. The weather was unusually cold, our salary had not been regularly paid, and it did not meet our needs when it was. My husband was away traveling from one district to another much of the time. Our boys were well, but my little Ruth was ailing, and at best none of us were decently clothed. I patched and repaired, with spirits sinking to the lowest ebb. The water gave out in the well, and the wind blew through the cracks in the floor. The people in the parish were kind, and generous, too, but the settlement was new, and each family was struggling for itself. Little by little, at the time I needed it most, my faith began to waver. Early in life I was taught to take God at His Word, and I thought my lesson was well learned. I had lived upon the promise in dark times, until I knew, as David did, “who was my Fortress and Deliverer.” Now a daily prayer for forgiveness was all that I can offer. My husband’s overcoat was hardly thick enough for October, and he was often obliged to ride miles to attend some meeting or funeral. Many times our breakfast was Indian cake and a cup of tea without sugar. Christmas was coming; the children always expected their presents. I remember the ice was thick and smooth, and the boys were each craving a pair of skates. Ruth, in some unaccountable way, had taken a fancy that the dolls I had made were no longer suitable; she wanted a nice large one, and insisted on praying for it. I knew it was impossible; but, oh! How I wanted to give each child it’s present! It seemed as if God had deserted us, but I did not tell my husband all this. He worked so earnestly and heartily, I supposed him to be as hopeful as ever. I kept the sitting-room cheerful with an open fire, and I tried to serve our scanty meals as invitingly as I could. The morning before Christmas, James was called to see a sick man. I put up a piece of bread for his lunch-it was the best I could do – wrapped my plaid shawl around his neck and then to whisper a promise, as I often had, but the words died away upon my lips. I let him go without it. That was a dark, hopeless day. I coaxed the children to bed early, for I could not bear their talk. When Ruth went, I listened to her prayer; she asked for the last time most explicitly for her doll, and skates for her brothers. Her bright face looked so lovely when she whispered to me, “You know, I think they’ll be here early tomorrow morning, Mamma,” that I thought I could move heaven and earth to save her from disappointment. I sat down alone, and gave way to the most bitter tears. Before long James returned, chilled and exhausted. He drew off his boots; the thin stockings clipped off with them, and his feet were red with cold. “I wouldn't treat a dog that way; let alone a faithful servant,” I said. Then, as I glanced up and saw the hard lines in his face and the look of despair, it flashed across me that James had let go, too. I brought him a cup of tea, feeling sick and dizzy at the very thought. He took my hand, and we sat for an hour without a word. I wanted to die and meet God, and tell Him His promise wasn't true; my soul was so full of rebellious despair. There came a sound of bells, a quick stop and a loud knock at the door. James sprang up to open it. There stood Deacon White. “A box came for you by express just before dark. I brought it around as soon as I could get away. Reckoned it might be for Christmas; ‘At any rate,’ I said, ‘they shall have it tonight.’ Here is a turkey my wife asked me to fetch along, and these other things I believe belong to you.” There was a basket of potatoes and a bag of flour. Talking all the time, he hurried in the box, and then with a hearty good night rode away. Still, without speaking, James found a chisel and opened the box. He drew out first a thick red blanket, and we saw that beneath it was full of clothing. It seemed at that moment as if Christ fastened upon me a look of reproach. James sat down and covered his face with his hands. "I can't touch them," he explained. "I haven't been true, just when God was trying me to see if I could hold out. Do you think I could not see how you were suffering? And I had no word of comfort to offer. I know now how to preach the awfulness of turning away from God." "James," I said, clinging to him, "don't take it to heart like this; I am to blame, I ought to have helped you. We will ask Him together to forgive us." "Wait a moment, dear, I cannot talk now." Then he went into another room. I knelt down, and my heart broke; in an instant all the darkness, all the stubbornness rolled away. Jesus came again and stood before me, but now with the loving word, "Daughter!" Sweet promises of tenderness and joy flooded my soul. I was so lost in praise and gratitude that I forgot everything else. I don't know how long it was before James came back, but I knew he, too, had found peace. "Now, my dear wife," said he, "let us thank God together"; and then he poured out words of praise - Bible words, for nothing else could express our thanksgiving. It was eleven o'clock, the fire was low, and there was the great box, and nothing touched but the warm blanket we needed. We piled on some fresh logs, lighted two candles, and began to examine our treasures. We drew out an overcoat; I made James try it on - just the right size - and I danced around him, for all my lightheartedness had returned. Then there was a cloak, and he insisted on seeing me in it. My spirits always infected him and we both laughed like foolish children. There was a warm suit of clothes also, and three pairs of woolen hose. There were a dress for me, and yards of flannel, a pair of arctic overshoes for each of us, and in mine a slip of paper. I have it now, and mean to hand it down to my children. It was Jacob's blessing to Asher: "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be." In the gloves for James, the same dear hand had written: "I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." It was a wonderful box and packed with thoughtful care. There was a suit of clothes for each of the boys and a little red gown for Ruth. There were mittens, scarfs, and hoods; down in the center - a box. We opened it, and there was a great wax doll! I burst into tears again; James wept with me for joy. It was too much; and then we both exclaimed again, for close behind it came two pairs of skates. There were books for us to read - some of them I had wished to see - stories for the children to read, aprons and underclothing, knots of ribbon, a gay little tidy, a lovely photograph, needles, buttons, and thread; actually a muff, and an envelope containing a ten-dollar gold piece. At last we cried over everything we took up. It was past midnight, and we were faint and exhausted even with happiness. I made a cup of tea, cut a fresh loaf of bread, and James boiled some eggs. We drew up the table before the fire; how we enjoyed our supper! And then we sat talking over our life, and how sure a help God always proved. You should have seen the children the next morning; the boys raised a shout at the sight of their skates. Ruth caught up her doll, and hugged it tightly without a word; then she went into her room and knelt by her bed. When she came back she whispered to me, "I knew it would be here, Mamma, but I wanted to thank God just the same, you know." "Look here, wife, see the difference!" We went to the window and there were the boys out of the house already, and skating on the crust with all their might. My husband and I both tried to return thanks to the church in the East that sent us the box, and have tried to return thanks unto God every day since. Hard times have come again and again, but we have trusted in Him - dreading nothing so much as a doubt of His protecting care. "They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing." (Just on a side note, the blessing given to Asher was from Moses in Deut. 33:25) "...your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." Matt. 6:8
Isn't our God good?! Merry Christmas everyone! |
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Sarah GraceI am just an ordinary girl who is loved by an extraordinary God and I seek to love others the same way. I love to bake, read, do puzzles, watch Hallmark movies, and go shopping with my mom! This blog was created as a place where I could share some thoughts that the Lord has shown me and to be an encouragement to others who desire to know Him in a deeper way. My prayer is to learn to sit still and trust God with my future. Archives
December 2023
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