The Miracle of a Brother's Song

“An account has been circulating on the Internet about a mother who was doing all she could to prepare her three-year-old son for the arrival of a new sibling. After discovering that the new baby was a girl, Michael sang to his sister night after night in his Mommy’s tummy. The pregnancy progressed normally, and the labor began. However, there were complications during delivery. Finally, Michael’s baby sister was born but in serious condition. She was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit of the hospital. The days inched by, but she continued to get worse. The pediatric specialist told the parents that there was little hope and to prepare for the worst. Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery for a burial plot. They had decorated her room but now they prepared for a funeral. Michael begged his parents to let him see his new sister. He wanted to sing to her.

During the second week of the hospital stay, it looked as if a funeral was imminent. Michael continued to beg to sing to his sister but the ICU didn’t allow children. Karen determined that she would take Michael to see his sister – rules or no rules. Little Michael was dressed in oversized scrubs and he marched into the ICU. He looked like a small laundry basket walking into the unit. The head nurse saw the child and bellowed that kids weren’t allowed. The usually mild-mannered Karen glared steel-eyed at the nurse (appropriate anger) and told her that Michael would not leave until he sang to his sister. Michael gazed at the tiny infant and began to sing ‘You are my sunshine, my only sunshine; you make me happy when skies are gray.’

According to the account, she instantly responded and her pulse steadied to normal. Michael continued, ‘You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.’

The ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten’s purr. His mom said, ‘Keep on singing, Michael!’

‘The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping; I dreamed I held you in my arms…’

Michael’s little sister lay relaxed and rested, healing rest sweeping over her. ‘Keep on singing, Michael,’ Karen urged, as tears conquered the face of the bossy head nurse.

‘You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don’t take my sunshine away.’

Plans for a funeral were stopped, and the next day – the very next day – she was well enough to go home. The article was called ‘The Miracle of a Brother’s Son.’ The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God’s love” (Charles Lowery, SBC Life, November 2007, pg. 16).