'Twas the Night Before Christmas (1997)
by Howie Barker (Six Chick Superfan and husband of Heidi)
‘Twas ten days before Christmas and out in Vermont,
H and H were ecstatic about the news of the month.
The phone was a-ringing and the word was “All Right!”
Birth mom was now pushing with all of her might.
So make haste to Atlanta, can’t get there too soon.
We flew down that night with a full Georgia moon.
We had brought all his blankets, his bottles and binkies.
Snuggled down in our bed we dreamed about toonjies **
Then the dreadful call came, or was it more of a wail?
“Birth dad” had arrived – fresh out of jail.
“The baby is mine! No adoption will follow!”
Was the message he shouted. Our stomachs were hollow.
So we had a whole day, just to sit and to wait,
“The temple’s near by. How ‘bout a nice date?”
Our minds were full throttle, we wanted to know,
Should we stay here, Lord, or should we just go?
Throughout the whole session, we pondered and prayed.
We prayed for the birth mom, the right choices she’d made.
Then the Spirit came softly, yet piercing and strong.
“All will be fine here. Pack up. Get along.”
Back home to Vermont, our hearts were both broken.
The crib was still empty. The grief went unspoken.
We spent five solid days unable to work.
“It will all be just fine.” Then why does it hurt?
Three days before Christmas, we put on our shoes.
Back to work we must go,” no matter the news.
We struggled and labored, but not much got done.
Our hearts were in Georgia with our “almost-was” son.
How his life will be different with only a mom.
His “dad” wants to visit, “Not sure when I’ll come.”
Birth mom wanted best for her sweet little tot.
Her wishes were noble, but now all for naught.
Then through the marvels of science, or maybe lab error
Mom and son were O Pos, and “dad” AB neg!!
So “dad” wasn’t dad, at least legally so,
And Mom could now choose where her sweet son would go.
Heidi got the great call. “Do you still want a son?”
A moment of silence – the cat had her tongue.
“I’ll be there tomorrow. No, wait, today!”
Was how she answered in her most joyous way.
So back to Georgia she traveled, this time all alone.
Howie had to work, still fixing those bones.
The flights were delayed, all her baggage got lost,
But get there she did, “At any cost!”
The following day, Christmas Eve ‘97
Will be remembered in time, as a day sent from heaven.
With a tear in her eye, she passed on her son.
“Merry Christmas” she said, and they all hugged as one.
So that’s the true story of Miracle Max.
We’ll spread it by letters, by phone and by fax.
He’s almost one now, and the joy of our life.
Our family is three now; son, husband and wife.
We send all our greetings and holiday cheer,
And hope at this season and into next year
That your life will be touched at this Christmas time
By our Savior’s great message and pure love sublime.
Merry Christmas!
**toonjies is Afrikaans for little toes
by Howie Barker (Six Chick Superfan and husband of Heidi)
‘Twas ten days before Christmas and out in Vermont,
H and H were ecstatic about the news of the month.
The phone was a-ringing and the word was “All Right!”
Birth mom was now pushing with all of her might.
So make haste to Atlanta, can’t get there too soon.
We flew down that night with a full Georgia moon.
We had brought all his blankets, his bottles and binkies.
Snuggled down in our bed we dreamed about toonjies **
Then the dreadful call came, or was it more of a wail?
“Birth dad” had arrived – fresh out of jail.
“The baby is mine! No adoption will follow!”
Was the message he shouted. Our stomachs were hollow.
So we had a whole day, just to sit and to wait,
“The temple’s near by. How ‘bout a nice date?”
Our minds were full throttle, we wanted to know,
Should we stay here, Lord, or should we just go?
Throughout the whole session, we pondered and prayed.
We prayed for the birth mom, the right choices she’d made.
Then the Spirit came softly, yet piercing and strong.
“All will be fine here. Pack up. Get along.”
Back home to Vermont, our hearts were both broken.
The crib was still empty. The grief went unspoken.
We spent five solid days unable to work.
“It will all be just fine.” Then why does it hurt?
Three days before Christmas, we put on our shoes.
Back to work we must go,” no matter the news.
We struggled and labored, but not much got done.
Our hearts were in Georgia with our “almost-was” son.
How his life will be different with only a mom.
His “dad” wants to visit, “Not sure when I’ll come.”
Birth mom wanted best for her sweet little tot.
Her wishes were noble, but now all for naught.
Then through the marvels of science, or maybe lab error
Mom and son were O Pos, and “dad” AB neg!!
So “dad” wasn’t dad, at least legally so,
And Mom could now choose where her sweet son would go.
Heidi got the great call. “Do you still want a son?”
A moment of silence – the cat had her tongue.
“I’ll be there tomorrow. No, wait, today!”
Was how she answered in her most joyous way.
So back to Georgia she traveled, this time all alone.
Howie had to work, still fixing those bones.
The flights were delayed, all her baggage got lost,
But get there she did, “At any cost!”
The following day, Christmas Eve ‘97
Will be remembered in time, as a day sent from heaven.
With a tear in her eye, she passed on her son.
“Merry Christmas” she said, and they all hugged as one.
So that’s the true story of Miracle Max.
We’ll spread it by letters, by phone and by fax.
He’s almost one now, and the joy of our life.
Our family is three now; son, husband and wife.
We send all our greetings and holiday cheer,
And hope at this season and into next year
That your life will be touched at this Christmas time
By our Savior’s great message and pure love sublime.
Merry Christmas!
**toonjies is Afrikaans for little toes