I Lived

Hope if everybody runs

you choose to stay

Miracles.

Some people believe in them.

Some people don't.

I am living proof there is such thing as a miracle.

If you think about it, we all are.

Tomorrow I will be turning 23.

Each Birthday is such a triumph for me.  

When my mother was expecting me, I wasn't growing.

No one could figure out why.

My parents took it so far to the highest scientific doctors and even they couldn't find the reason.

I was due in September.

The doctors told my parents to get an abortion.

If they didn't get an abortion, I wouldn't survive.

If I did survive, I would most likely be severely handicapped.

If I lived, I would die by the time I was 3.

Thank God my parents had faith in me.

Most people these days would sadly choose abortion.

I was taken C-Section on July 21st, 1992 at 5:12 PM.

Everyone was so excited because I was crying.

It was a small cry, but it meant my lungs were well developed.

I was 1 pound 6 ounces.

You could fit a wedding ring around my leg.

I stayed in the NICU for months fighting for my life.

The odds were stacked against me, and I nearly died multiple times, but I pulled through.

On October 6th, my parents wedding anniversary, they took me home.

My birth story made the front page of the newspaper.

I re read it recently and read that my parents were in the process of planning my funeral.

To this day, I am so thankful to be here.

To be alive.

I feel guilty when I see other people who have severe special needs.

That was supposed to be me.

What did I do, to be so damn lucky?

Sometimes I feel like I don't deserve to be so lucky.

I want so badly to revisit the NICU and to see the parents.

The parents who have dying babies.

Children who like me, have a bleak diagnosis and future, read by doctors.

I want to talk to the Mothers and Fathers who are giving up hope.

I desperately want to tell them to be there for their children.

They need to have faith.

I lived.

I lived and their child just might too.

Miracles really do happen.

and I am now 23!

Many years ahead of 3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSyCjUaplwU

Reviews

[dan]

Wow, so your parents have extra to celebrate on their anniversary, your BIRTH day and your yearly birthday. I too have an event in my life that can be described as a miracle; last November 12 my wife was blinded by oncoming headlights and wrecked head-on into another car...our car was totaled and all who saw it thought no once could have survived, but she walked away with a few scratches. Congratulations for being the miracle child, your parents certainly have a great story to tell. Happy birthday! take care...dan

[Kathryn Smith]

Thanks Dan! :)

[rickm97]

Absolutely wonderful story, and wonderful writing.
Go to that NICU! Tell your story. Hold their hands and give them hope.
God bless you, Kathryn, and God blessed the world with you.

[....................]

Belated birthday wishes, Kathryn... from the moment we are conceived any number of things can take us and eventually death is there waiting, be it at the end of a long life or even before we leave the womb... life is a series of miracles, knowing that any breath could be our last... some miracles, however, occur in the face of bleak diagnosis...fortunately you are here to tell us about one of those miracles... I have lost friends to many different events and myself was in a motorcycle accident a long time ago which I walked away from... this piece hits home and is very inspirational; thanks for sharing...here's to many, many more birthdays

[Kyle Lawrence]

Beautiful piece of writing, very inspirational! Happy birthday :)

[Kathryn Smith]

Thank you Kyle! :) x

[Shivai]

FIRST OF ALL: HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN ADVANCE!!
Wow, you are a lucky child, but I appreciate and give major credit in your parents, for the faith they put in you, only very strong people would have been able to do that, the trust they had shown in you, its just admirable.
Well written too!

[Kathryn Smith]

Thank you!! xo I do give my parents major credit. They did so much for me.

[Shivai]

You're welcome!

[Coyote Poetry]

Beautiful and heart warming poetry. I agree with your logic. I believe we underestimate the strength of a child. Thank you for sharing amazing story in the poetry. I'm glad you with us to tell the tale and teach other folks. Never give-up.
Coyote

[sinNsincerity]

Happy Birthday and and so glad that you've made it this far! My bday just past last week, so we're both July babies!

[Kathryn Smith]

That's great! Happy belated Birthday! I hope it was a good one! July babies are the best! ;)

[sinNsincerity]

We really are right!?
Thank you for the bday wishes Kathryn.

[wordman]

well i believe in miracles,i believe in you and happy birthday

[Kathryn Smith]

Thank you! :) x