Speaking Beyond theWomb

        “I am a victim of my deformities, but I am a survivor of my defects”

As a embryo growing inside her mother’s womb, Heaven wondered what the world was like out there. Was it better to be born, or not to be born? She knew she would be safe inside her mother until it was time for her to come out. Her mom and dad did not know she was there yet. Her mother had been feeling a little nauseous and did not know why. Unaware that it was because Heaven was growing inside her. Soon, she would go to the doctor for a checkup.

Her mother made it to the doctor’s appointment with her father. They ran blood and urine test on her. The doctor came back and told them that she was expecting. She was so happy that they were having a baby. Inside, Heaven could not wait to finish growing so she could come out and see them.

Heaven grew bigger inside her everyday. Her dad was so excited that he had already shared the news with all their friends that they were going to have a baby. They did not know who she would be yet, but Heaven knew; she was a little girl, and she already knew she was going to bring them so much joy.

Her mom made up a lullaby that she sang to her all the time. Her voice had a way of soothing Heaven, calming her in warmth. When her mother rubbed her belly and sang. Heaven felt safe and drifted peacefully to sleep.

When her mother reached her seventh month, she went to her doctor’s appointment for a checkup. The doctor performed an ultrasound to make sure Heaven was in the right position. He discovered something was wrong and wanted to do another ultrasound to see what the problem was. However, her dad said no and told her mom not to worry about it. Certain that everything was going to be okay. From within, Heaven could hear her mom’s voice, soft as a whisper. Constantly singing the song she had made for her. She could hear the gentle tone of her dad’s voice, telling her, he could not wait to bring her home.

Her mom made it to her ninth month. Her dad had to go to the store to pick up food that her mom wanted before she delivered. While he was gone, her mom was putting the finishing touches on Heaven’s bedroom.

Heaven sensed how pretty it was, with all the lilac and pink colors, and she could not wait to lie in her very own bassinet. Her dad finally made it back home, and just as he walked through the door. Her mom’s water broke. Prompting him to rush her to the hospital.

At last, it was time for her to be born. It was her birthday. While the nurses prepared her mother. Her dad got ready to join her in the delivery room. The doctor asked her dad if he wanted to know what they were having before before she gave birth, but he refused because they wanted it to be a surprise for the both of them.

When Heaven made it halfway out. Her dad looked at her with wide eyes. The doctor and nurses had a look of shock on their faces. Her dad was speechless. The doctor hurried, and wrapped her in a blanket, and handed her to her father. He pushed her away and refused to hold her.

The doctor then took her over to meet her mother. Heaven wanted to grab her mom’s face, but it was when Selena realized the baby had only one arm and one leg. Her mom would not let Heaven touch her face. The infant desperately needed her mother’s touch and hoped she would reach for her at lease one time. But she did not. The one she thought would love her the most rejected her.