"Down the Road of Bittersweet" by Karl Kohlhase / Nina's Story

Watch the very, very touching slideshow/music video of this song about parents receiving the news that their baby had congenital problems and how they trust God to walk with them "down the road of bittersweet". when you click on the link, the song will begin to play:

http://www.k4communications.com/karl/bittersweet.html

Lyrics:

We had some good news and some bad news on a cold November morn
The test confirmed that we were parents, but there was something more
Our little boy had complications, and we were frightened as could be
But we decided to go walking down the road of bittersweet

The next nine months we grew together, somehow closer than before
And our faith began to blossom into something more
We would hold each other close and pray, then cry ourselves to sleep
We knew that God was walking with us down the road of bittersweet

Jesus, take my hand and walk beside me
And make my footsteps firm beneath my feet
I know You’ve gone this way before so guide me
I’m not alone as I go walking down the road of bittersweet

The room was filled with apprehension on the day that he was born
But when I took him in my arms I knew there was so much more
There was a bond of love between us, and I was never more complete
I never knew I’d find such blessing down the road of bittersweet

The doctor said we may not have much time before we’d have to part
So I treasure every moment deep within my heart
Soon we’ll have a little angel, praying for our family
I’m just glad I got to meet him down the road of bittersweet

Jesus, take my hand and walk beside me
And make my footsteps firm beneath my feet
I know You’ve gone this way before so guide me
I’m not alone as I go walking down the road
I’m not alone as I go walking down the road
I’m not alone as I go walking down the road of bittersweet

Words & Music by Karl Kohlhase

© 2006 karl kohlhase

Written for Prenatal Partners For Life

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I am writing this post in response to my older sister Aileen's tag in her blog. In other countries, congenital malformations are reasons for abortion. Here in this video are parents who CHOSE LIFE for their little babies. My own sister(my younger sister) had a baby with severe congenital malformations incompatible with life, several years ago. They found out during the fifth month that Nina, my niece, had a genetic disease due to an extra chromosome. They had a routine ultrasound, and just like the people in the song, they found out there was something wrong with her heartbeat, it was too weak. After an amniocentesis, they learned of the diagnosis. Nina had several heart malformations that made her heartbeat weak. It broke their hearts. They were in the U.S. and the doctor had to suggest abortion or "termination of the pregnancy" as they called it, by law. Terribly heartbroken, they called us in the Philippines. I remember telling my sister back then, "you know, as long as Nina is in your tummy, she will live because her circulation is through the placenta, through the umbilical cord". MY SISTER AND BROTHER -IN-LAW CHOSE TO HAVE NINA and she carried Nina to term, up to 9 months. They reasoned that if my niece will live while she was in the womb, they will shower her with love all those 9 months in the womb. Their OBGYN doctor in the U.S. fully supported their decision to keep the baby .And the OBGYN was one of those who was crying along with them when my niece was born. At 9 months my niece was born, but she only lived for 1 1/2 hours. BUT SHE WAS WORTH IT ALL.

My sister has one beautiful baby in heaven, and after Nina's passing away, she now has three more beautiful kids on earth.

In our pro-life ministry, I have had several opportunities to share (with my sister's permission, of course) Nina's story. Many have been blessed and touched by Nina's story, and I pray young people will never think of abortion as an option when they hear it. And more often than not, listeners are moved to tears as I share her story. Nina's story is a story I went through as an aunt, and I want to say I am proud of my sister and brother-in-law, and of Nina.