Every day since three-year-old Michael was told he was going to have a baby sister,
he would touch his mommy’s tummy tenderly and sing all the songs he knew to the baby.
Tragically, the baby was born in critical condition, and the doctors said the newborn
would not last through the week. Michael, who was unaware of the crisis, kept insisting
he wanted to see his sister and sing to her. Although children were not allowed in intensive
care, his mother decided to let Michael see his sister and sing to her before she passed away.
When the nurse saw Michael in the room she said, "That child will have to leave." Michael’s
mom responded firmly, "Not until he sings to his sister." Michael didn’t notice all the wires
attached to the tiny infant. Touching the outside of the plastic crib, he beamed and began to sing:
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy when skies are gray.
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away."
Strangely, the baby seemed to respond. Her pulse rate slowed and her breathing became easier.
With tears in her eyes, the mother said, "Keep singing, Michael, keep singing." The more Michael sang,
the more the baby relaxed. Soon even the nurse chimed in, "Keep singing, Michael, keep singing."
And Michael did. The baby fell into a calm, healing sleep. Within days, she was well enough to take home.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
