they sang

I just took care of a newborn baby with five older sibblings, two of whom I had also cared for when they were born. It was great fun to see all the kids surrounding the crib for any little thing I did with the baby, watching my every move and asking many questions about their just-born sister. After a diaper change and a swaddle, I handed the baby to the oldest brother. Their father then said, "It's time to sing now." The chilren all sat on the couch surrounding their baby sister and began to quietly sing from memory an old hymn with a Swedish melody.  I asked the grandma, "I suppose this baby has heard this song before?" "Oh yes," came the reply, "last night they gathered around their mom's belly and sang it to the baby."

I looked around the room and I don't think I saw a dry eye. It's quite simply one of the sweetest moments I've ever experienced in my many years of being a newborn baby nurse.

"Chidren of the heavenly Father

Safely in his bosom gather

Nestling bird or star in heaven

Such a refuge e'er was given.

"God his own doth tend and nourish

In his holy courts they flourish

From all evil things he spares them

In his mighty arms he bears them."

(words by Carolina Sandell-Berg)

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