The story of Sam

While stories can be biblical, literary or based in folklore, they can also be about real life. Gertrude Johnson, for example, told the story of the birth of her second grandson in September. When her daughter was five months pregnant, an ultrasound revealed that the baby had an underdeveloped left side of the heart.

"We were told that the baby would die within the first or second month," said Mrs. Johnson, a teacher at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School in Schenectady.

Her daughter and son-in-law were asked to consider abortion or passive euthanasia. They decided against those options and sought help from Mrs. Johnson's oldest daughter, a pediatric nurse in Philadelphia. There, they found a doctor with experience in treating babies with that condition.

Samuel's life

The couple then selected a name for their child. "They chose the name Samuel," Mrs. Johnson said. "It means 'God has been heard' or 'God has spoken.'"

"I went to the Bible and looked up the story of Samuel," Mrs. Johnson said. "I read the story of Samuel's mother, who was barren, then has a son who goes on to become a prophet."

Before her daughter and son-in-law went to Philadelphia for the birth of the baby, a prayer service was held at their parish. Without knowing that the child's name had been chosen, the priest did a reading from the book of Samuel.

Miracle story

She said the birth of her grandson has taught the family much about trust and hope in the Lord. "It shook us to our roots," she said, forcing them to ask themselves: "What do we believe?"

Samuel was born and had surgery a day and a half later. He will need two more major surgeries before he is two, Mrs. Johnson said.

"Samuel's story is the miracle of his existence," she said. "He has taught us about trust, hope and faith. We live in great hope and in prayer for each of his tomorrows." (MM)

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