Positivity: 8 months together — A story of love

From Denver (video is at link; HT Michelle Malkin):

Last updated: 12/16/2007 10:55:27 PM

It had always been on Gina Harris’ heart to be a Mom.

“I knew right away that I was pregnant,” she said. “I just had that feeling.”

When Rob and Gina Harris found out they were expecting their first child they say were overwhelmed with gratitude and filled with thoughts and plans for their future family.

“We had all these visions and dreams for what our baby would grow up to be,” said Gina.

Rob Harris said, “At our 20 week ultrasound we found out that he was a boy so I went out to the Nike store and had to buy a little sports outfit.”

An ultrasound also revealed a problem about their unborn son, David.

“I didn’t have amniotic fluid because David most likely did not have kidneys,” said Gina.

Doctors explained that amniotic fluid is critical for lungs to develop. The condition that the Harris’ son had is called Potter’s Syndrome. It is extremely rare and extremely serious.

“The doctor told us that the babies usually die of respiratory failure after they are born,” said Gina.

The doctor explained that as long as the baby was inside Gina’s womb he’d be able to grow and thrive. Gina could provide everything her son needed. The question was: Could their son live on his own?

Gina Harris said her mind filled with thoughts and fears.

“I thought about how it would be to give birth to a baby that might not survive,” she said. “I thought about being pregnant and people excitedly asking me about the baby and the future and me always knowing the future was so uncertain. I was scared.”

“The doctor said that the majority of women with the diagnosis like this would terminate the pregnancy,” said Rob. “And as he started to say that Gina said, ‘No.’ She just stopped him.”

Gina says that in her heart she was certain of one thing. She was already a mom. She says God had given her a child and she already felt a deep connection with her son.

It was in that moment she made a sacrifice only a mother could make.

“I decided to hold tightly to my faith and push through my fear,” said Gina. “I decided to put myself aside and know that this baby has a life right now and I am meant to be his mother right now.”

Her husband added, “We decided we were going to enjoy our time with our son even if he is in Gina’s womb and we can’t see him yet, he’s still alive and he’s still kicking.”

They named him David and cherished each moment as he grew. They focused on living in the present and not focusing on the uncertainty of the future.

“We prayed for our son,” said Rob. “We talked to him and a couple of times he even responded to my voice.”

Gina added, “Every night before we’d go to bed we’d play music for him.”

The Harrises prayed for a miracle.

“We knew that only a miracle would help him live. Something that rang clear in my mind is, ‘your life will have purpose and it will have meaning,’” Gina said.

The meaning of David’s life was felt right away and in some unlikely places. One of those places was on the high school football field of Front Range Christian School, where Rob Harris is the coach.

During a big game against Cripple Creek the players said they were drawing on David’s strength.

“I was like wanting to cry every touchdown we scored because the guys were like, ‘That was for David, that was for David,’” said Rob. …..

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