A Great Little Survivor - Part 1

Fourteen days... Ted, what will become of you? Two weeks back, you were lifted out and rushed to intensive care, breathing but fitting, unable to tell us how it felt to be born with wires, tubes, winking lights and graphs, monitors for music. No lullaby. Intensive carers, what will become of Ted? With your skill, experience, resources, teamwork, measuring, scanning, recording, what can you know? Assurance so fragile to hear, to believe, to hope. Yet we trust your watching, waiting, providing for Ted. Eight pounds six gave you a start, Ted, but loss of blood left your vitality distressed. Three times you endured a lumbar puncture, just to exclude the chance of infection, Now at least you are given Mummy's milk. Now at last Mum and Dad can cradle you. Phil and Lorraine, who will Ted be for you? With the waiting, not knowing, sensitive to every sign, fearing, hoping with time to pass at the cot side. Reading aloud from The Fantastic Mister Fox for Ted to hear the voice of Dad, and Mum holding. Rex, big brother, who will Ted be for you? Hard for you to understand the comings and goings, greetings and goodbyes; broken routines, conversations. For you and Ted we hope and we pray, but how will it be for you together? Your needs competing. God, who will Ted become? For him the best is what you desire. Make us strong that we, that you can give to overcome the hurt, and so make whole his infant brain. Uphold with courage and patience Lorraine and Phil; may their bond promise peace and life for Ted.