Imagine your surprise when you finally learn that yes, it is true not only are you graduating high school, but your going to be a mother at the same time.

Imagine how scared and alone you feel. Waling on stage graduating thinking everything is going to great. Once the shock wore off being happy and scared all at the same time.

Imagine the only that you wanted was to have a normal and healthy baby. Not caring whether it is a girl or boy, just so long as he or she is healthy.

Imagine doing everything your doctor has told you eating right, walking, and taking your vitamins and every other precaution that she advised.

Imagine feeling constant pain in your stomach. Not quite knowing what it is, hoping it will stop, not knowing that you are in labor.

Imagine going to work and come to find out you start spotting.

Imagine rushing to the hospital and finding out that you are fully dilated and you baby only being 26 weeks gestation.

Imagine the horrible feeling rushing threw your body. The anger, guilt, and sadness you feel all rushing in you. Scared of the outcome, not understanding why and hoping this is all a mistake. Being so young and asking why me?

Imagine sleeping upside down to try and push your water back in hoping by some miracle the baby will side back into place.

Imagine at 10:15 a.m. on 7/1/95, delivering a 2 lb. 26 six-week child. Seeing this tiny baby and not know if he will live or die. Wandering what is the outcome going to be?

Imagine seeing your infant for 2 seconds before they rush him away and get ready to transport him to Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit. Before he left I was able to say good- bye. I touched his tiny little hand, and he held my finger.

Imagine the next 3 months being utter torture. Going through ups and downs. Wandering if your going to get that call in the middle of the night telling you to rush to the hospital. Doctor and nurse becoming the only people that you ever see.

Imagine before coming home having to take a CPR class and learn about your child's monitor. Then finally and waking up every hour on the hour to make sure your baby is still breathing, even though he still has a monitors for his sleep apnea.

Imagine after all that you have gone through to be the mother of a healthy five-year son named Michael and now when you wake up at night you can't help but to watch him sleep, because you can't believe how many odds he over came.

Tracy A.