Living with a Miracle: A Mother and Child's Journey

In the fall of 1988, after a difficult and complicated pregnancy, Syra Marie was born. Elation is not strong enough to express the joy of becoming a mother.

The day after Syra was born; the pediatrician informed me she had a heart murmur. Being a nurse, I was concerned but had no reason to believe it was anything life threatening, many children are born with heart murmurs and lead a normal life. That evening after our "celebration" dinner, we returned to the nursery to see Syra. However, our celebration quickly turned into a nightmare. Life Flight was flying our baby to a children's hospital two hours away. Only two days old following a heart catherization, we were told Syra had a rare and lethal heart defect.

This is a story that cuts to the heart of a mother's love for her child and their journey together against impossible odds.

Here is Syra's story...