71 minutes

Jonah was up the other night for, I don't know, an hour or so. We try not to look too closely at the clock when we do have to get up with one of our kids. Fortunately, it doesn't happen very often. Regardless, it was a long night. And it was such a bittersweet moment. On the one hand, I was frustrated to be awake and exhausted in the middle of the night. On the other hand, it was so nice to see the little man drop off to sleep in my arms. He doesn't often sit still.

Recently, a couple at church shared the story of their recent pregnancy and childbirth. Essentially, they found during their pregnancy that their child had health complications that, according to the professionals, were "incompatible with life". That phrase makes me shudder. I'm sure it's kept especially clinical to help distance everyone from the emotional aspect of the news. Still...shudder.

When their baby was born, the family was surrounded by family and friends. Seriously, surrounded. They had pictures of everyone at the hospital and there was so much joy in everyone's face. Joy...even while knowing the situation. Their baby lived 71 minutes. Those were some of the most precious 71 minutes in the lives of everyone there.

It certainly made the frustration side of my 60 late night minutes with Jonah a lot less...well...frustrating.