"On the 7th day..." For you it might have been the first day, the hundredth day, the 16th year. For David and Bathsheba it was the 7th day that their child died. For Pam and me it was the 58th day that our Danny died. I'd like to share with you Danny's story.

The story begins on a cold night in February when Danny was conceived in love and desire. Pam and I love children and after three girls, two miscarriages, and one boy, we desired yet another child -- and yes, another boy would be perfect. We didn't know it right away but God had once again performed the incredible miracle of life. In a few short weeks Pam's body would let go of the secret. We were thrilled. God had granted us one more baby; one more life.

It was an uneventful and quiet pregnancy. Too quiet, we later learned. Pam was at times disturbed by the lack of activity she had known with her previous babies who each transformed her womb into an exercise gym complete with stepper and punching bag. Danny was quiet but since his heart rate was always good, we prayed for and believed the best. Caring for four children and getting the house ready for a fifth left little time for worry anyway.

We put a new coat of paint on an old dresser, and bought another crib that we thought was an answer to prayer. Sometimes God gets credit for too much. Nevertheless, we were busy getting ready, all the while dreaming dreams and building castles of expectations which we never imagined God would let the waves of trouble disturb.

The waves hit on Monday, October 19. At 23 days before the due date, it took us by surprise. I was home, under the weather. Pam came down from a rest and asked if I'd like to have the baby today. "You're kidding?" I started feeling better. "Whoa! Here we go again!"

After making the necessary arrangements for kids and house, we checked into the hospital and waited. Things weren't moving too quickly. Maybe Danny knew I wanted to catch the vice presidential debates, so he delayed. After the debates I was fidgety, wishing I could do more than hold Pam's hand and speak words of encouragement. As we neared the time of delivery, I shut the TV off. The moment now seemed too sacred for such intrusion. We were locked in time, my wife laboring painfully to bring forth our child; Danny feeling the contractions expelling him from his amniotic heaven. A push and the top of his head appeared -- red hair! Finally, Pam would have her redhead.

Careful now, the cord's tangled! Don't push! Pant! Yes! Cord's free! Push! Hard! Yes! Out into the world he came (I'm not sure I included all the pushes for you.) A magic moment. A boy! Our Daniel.

But wait. No cry, arms were limp, legs refused to leave the fetal position. Quickly doctor and nurses attend to baby while Pam is abandoned on the delivery table. "Nurse, call the pediatrician -- something's not right." Oxygen stabilized him, and he was brought up to the special care nursery for close attention. Pam was brought back to her room without her baby.