Madelyn

The prologue:

On September 5th, 2014, Randy and I were enjoying some down time in the basement when the telephone rang.  As he picked it up, I was tickled by the conversation.  It was Kate, our grand daughter

"Hi Kate!  How are you doing?  What are you doing today?  You're shopping??  Sure you can come over to Grandpa and Grandma's to sleep over night.  I always love it when you come to Grandpa's house!"

The connection with Kate was interrupted by our daughter, Carianne.  Their conversation was short and confusing, causing Randy to jump to his feet and swiftly run upstairs to retrieve his i phone.  I felt a breeze as he flew past, breathlessly asking if I had seen Carianne's latest post on face book.  I had not, but before I could reply, he was back downstairs with the i phone, showing me the screen.

What is this?"  we both questioned over and over in unbelief.  It was a photo taken in a long, unfamiliar hallway.  Rusty (son in law), Carianne, and Kate were shown smiling from ear to ear, as they pushed a cart that looked like it had a baby in it.  It took us minutes before we realized there was really a baby in the cart!  We were speechless.  We knew that "shopping" for babies didn't make sense, given that they were this close to being ready for fertility treatments.  But somehow, they had spent a mind boggling afternoon at the hospital, meeting and learning about this one day old baby girl.  

Of course we had hundreds of questions, which flew out all at once: the same questions they had had in their state of shock, earlier that afternoon.  And now, as their reality was setting in and they found themselves sitting on a cloud,  they were excited to tell us the wonderful details of this sweet baby, and cry again at our reactions.  The photo was one of two that were posted only to two different sets of Grandparents.  Their game began:  Which set would be the first to notice the photo?  Grandma Crandell won.

This story will be told with gratitude and excitement for the rest of all their lives:

The story: (Grandma's perspective)

Just after noon, on September 4, a security guard in the hospital parking lot noticed a slowly moving car, with a young girl behind the wheel. She hovered around the little drop-off drawer, especially  made available for "safe haven" babies.  (https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/safehaven.pdf)  As the guard watched, he could see her hesitation.  Not wanting to scare her away, he sent a message to the doctor inside.  The doctor came out and approached the car.   She stopped and rolled down the window.  A tiny pink baby girl, wrapped in only a sheet, was handed out to him, as well as the placenta which had been placed in a separate bag.  Though the details are vague, it is understood that the doctor, who is the only one to see or speak to her, was concerned for her health; encouraging her to come in so he could make sure she was alright.  She quickly declined the help, saying, "No, I have to get home and clean up before my parents get home."   It is thought that she delivered the baby herself, maybe with a little help from the internet.  Born around midnight, mother and daughter were together until that next afternoon.. There was no one with her for support.  Maybe no one even knew her condition.  So young, so scared, so wanting a safer place for her new baby.  And yet, somehow, being so divinely led.

A miracle or two:

When a safe haven baby is born, the adoption agencies rotate the assignment to vote for the most deserving family in their profiles to adopt it.  Another miracle in the story, is that their agency, had not been functioning as an adoption agency for a couple of months.  But it was still considered in the rotation, and it also happened to be their turn. Carianne and Rusty's situation of trying to adopt before, with sad results, was still well known among most of the case workers.   Their vote was obvious. The chance for Carianne and Rusty to adopt this little girl would be given to them.  That's when her phone rang.

In the afternoon on Friday, September 5, Carianne answered her phone to hear the voice of a long lost case worker.  (Life was rolling along again at their house, despite left over broken hearts from an almost adoption in April.)  She was surprised to hear her voice, and even more surprised to hear the details of a baby girl, being held for them.  A meeting was quickly arranged, causing the three of them to drop everything and go.  They arrived at the hospital in record time, in a sort of frenzy.  Walking in, they tried to look like they knew what they were doing, as their hearts pounded faster.  Eventually they found their case worker.  Unbelievable details about the baby's little story were shared, and thoughtfully soaked in, as they pondered the miracle happening before their eyes! They felt as if they'd been pinched, when the case worker said, "Well, would you like to meet her?" 

In my heart, I know they recognized each other from the eternities.  That experience is for them to tell.

The name card on her little rolling cart would be a welcome change, from "baby" to Madelyn.  She was a small celebrity and  Carianne and Rusty were treated like royalty.  Even the doctor who took her in, bought her a little pink outfit. She stayed in the hospital for the weekend while every test imaginable was given.  Then on Monday, she was released, passing each test with flying colors of perfection.  They wrapped her up tight and have never let go.  Their little family grew in an instant.

Just when we think we know how our story should go, we are taken by the surprise of a much more beautiful plot.   It still humbles me to know that their morning, on September 5, started out as a normal day.  But by evening, there is no denying a miracle had taken place.  In a twinkling of an eye, sweet peace filled their hearts in validation of Heavenly Father's love for all four of them.  He knows our stories, and thankfully He is in charge.  Happy, Happy Birthday, sweet Madelyn.