Not long ago, a woman (whom I won’t name) was hired to work on the same program on which I work. (Though not in my division or even my building.) She worked for two weeks, and on Friday of her second week on the job, went on maternity leave.

On Sunday evening, August 20th, this lady was admitted to the hospital, as expected. Her water broke at 04:30 on Monday. She received an epidural at 08:30. At 10:00 she was resting and just waiting for the delivery when suddenly doctors and nurses started scurrying about.

When the doctors came out of the room they informed family members that the woman had died.

The doctors then performed an emergency C-section and delivered the woman’s baby girl. The baby was then evacuated to Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC to monitor for organ swelling. Apparently, the little girl had trouble breathing and had to be put on a ventilator. Soon, the baby’s father will be taking her home.

All around the area, fellow contractors are collecting donations from those who would like to help the family through this awful tragedy. I’ve volunteered to collect contributions at my building (the deadline is tomorrow afternoon for delivery to the woman’s manager on Friday morning). Of course, I’m off Friday, but I’ll gladly deliver the funds I’ve collected to the right person that morning.

I have a hard time reading the e-mails about this story, even to just retype the information here, without crying. This all happened in the hospital where I was born, which is in the same hospital system where Tommy was born. My blood runs cold just thinking about it.

Jesus said,

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” - John 14:1-3

Please offer your prayers for this newborn girl, and for her family.