My Beloved Son 2nd Edition: Courage Triumphs All

By Lydia L. Chen and Joshua Chen

A young, newlywed couple awaited their firstborn son, their hearts brimming with anticipation. Little did they know, the joy would soon be tinged with sorrow. The news of their son Joshua's incurable condition hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over their dreams. Yet, they refused to surrender.

My Beloved Son invites you to embark on a poignant journey alongside the Chen family. Witness their perilous trek – raising Joshua from infancy to late childhood, navigating the labyrinth of challenges. It's a testament to the indomitable human spirit, where courage prevails even in the darkest hour.

Through laughter and tears, triumphs and setbacks, discover the resilience of the Chens, an Asian American family. Witness them overcome countless obstacles, their faith serving as an unwavering pillar of support. My Beloved Son, the republished biographical fiction by mother-and-son duo Lydia and Joshua Chen, offers a powerful narrative woven with love, hope, and the unwavering bond of family.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lydia L. Chen
• Release date: Nov 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201920272

Lydia L. Chen

Lydia L. Chen holds her B.A. in Journalism and B.S. degree in Computer Science. She is working in the IT industry for many years as a software professional. She also served in the Pentecostal church community for over 18 years. God has given many spiritual gifts and passion to reach many people. Spiritual Garden is her personal blog to have Christ’s love reach more people around the globe. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and 2 children. She enjoys cooking, gardening, and exploring her passion for writing in her free time. Her first novel was “My Beloved Son,” published in December 2014; and her second book is "Within the Veil 2nd Edition," an eschatological devotional published in September 2018. Her latest work is "My Beloved Son 2nd Edition: Courage Triumphs All," released in June 2020.

Book preview

1 | A Miracle Is Coming

Palo Alto, California

December 1992

An eight-foot-tall glittering Christmas tree stood in the hallway of a prestigious hospital. Wrapped in red, silver, and golden garlands, it was an awe-inspiring sight to passers-by as one heard The Christmas Song echoed over the telecom.

Ah, Christmas is here! Lucy, a young, brown-eyed woman working at a nurse station nonchalantly said as she discussed her holiday plans with a fellow co-worker Amanda. I hope my husband George will buy me that beautiful necklace I just absolutely adore when we visit his relatives in Utah, Judy, a woman with golden hair in a bright red sweater exclaimed.

I can’t believe Christmas is almost here, Lucy quickly chirped.

Their cheerful laughter filled the air. There was, however, another woman with dark brown hair and pale skin sitting on the bench across from the nurse station who was clearly not into the holiday spirit. Her hair was all frizzled and messy, giving her such a disheveled appearance that looked like she had not brushed her hair in days. She was sorrowfully crestfallen, her eyes gazing hopelessly at the endless windowpanes, her dress was wrinkled and drenched in her tears. What could have happened to her? people would quietly whisper as they slowly walked on by her.

Lucy took notice of this lonely woman and rushed to her side to comfort her, and proceeded to say, Oh dear, is everything okay?

The woman stopped weeping, lifted her head up for the first time, and mumbled, I don’t know what I should do right now, before lowering her head and weeping again.

Today was Christmas Day. Unfortunately, this lonely woman's eyes reflected anything but joy or love on such a supposedly joyous holiday. Her heart was in a million pieces.

Lucy continued hugging Christina and tried her best to cheer her up, and said, Honey, this is the best hospital in town. We have some of the best doctors in the country practicing here. I believe everything will be okay. You just wait and see.

Christina looked up at Lucy once more. Tears were still lingering in her eyes, and she shook unconsciously. Her mind began buzzing again with hordes of horrific thoughts, What am I going to do? How can I handle this situation? Why has this happened to me? While Christina’s mind once again was pondering over these thoughts, tears continued streaming down her pale cheeks.

A tall, slim, and handsome man with fine, dark hair eagerly ran through the brightly lit, clean hallways looking for someone. He donned a pair of rather large, rectangular, silver-edged spectacles on his face, but he did not look like he was panicking even though he was in a hurry to get to his expectant wife. Look what I bought you today! I thought this fluffy bear might cheer you up, honey! Eric cheerfully announced, holding up in his hands a large teddy bear wearing a Christmas ribbon around its neck. Christina sadly lifted her head up again, staring into her husband’s pair of soulful eyes and finally squeezed a glimpse of a smile on her face.

Thank you, Eric, you are so thoughtful, whispered Christina. I’m sorry that you cannot hold our first baby boy. I thought this bear might let you hold him like you are holding Joshua instead, Eric said once again but this time, in an affirmative yet soft and tender voice. He brushed Christina’s hair aside as the young newlyweds stared at each other with the same compassion they first felt three years earlier. Nevertheless, this was not like the other thousands of simple exchanges they had experienced before in Hawaii, LA, or New York City. No, this one was a deeper stare, for Christina felt an assurance that Eric was not just her husband, but almost as if he was her guardian angel, and she knew at that very moment, he was the only person she could hold onto. After losing their first child, the thought of having another one who may not survive was both devastating and heartbreaking. Mere minutes flew by before Eric had the courage to utter in a whisper, Honey, I believe everything will be alright. You just pray and see.

Fremont, California

December 22, 1992

3 Days Earlier

Honey, my stomach is hurting right now! What’s happening to me? Christina screamed in excruciating pain.

Honey, it’s four in the morning. Where do you expect me to find you a doctor at this hour? Besides, I always work over-time and you know how late I have to come home every night. I am not really in the mood to deal with this again. Go back to sleep. The baby will be fine. I’ll be sure to call a doctor first thing in the morning, Eric tiredly replied.

This time, however, Christina was not just getting all feisty again. This time, the pain was real. The baby started kicking with greater force and Christina’s contractions grew stronger and even more writhing still. Eric, the baby’s kicking! He’s kicking fiercely! I’m telling you the truth this time Eric! I don’t think I have any more time to sit here and wait, Christina cried out in pain.

It was only then that Eric began to sense that her wife was not kidding this time around. He shot open his sleepy eyes and impulsively rose from bed in a damp, cold sweat—one of the largest sweats he would have experienced in a long time—changed into his day clothes and phoned the nearest hospital he could remember off the top of his head.

Mercy Catholic Hospital. How may I help you? the receptionist spoke.

Sir, my wife’s having a baby. She’s got to go to the delivery room right now, he impatiently insisted into the receiver.

But sir, it’s nearly Christmas Eve. Most of the staff has gone home for the holidays. You will have to come in the morning, replied the receptionist.

After a momentary two-minute hold, Eric was trying to collect his thoughts. Is there anyway you can contact any doctor in the hospital now? Please, my wife Christina is in a lot of pain, and she cannot bear it no more, Eric pleaded in agony. Sir, I have to contact the doctor. I will call you back. Please hold, receptionist replied. In a short moment of waiting, Doctor Goldin answered, Hello, Mr. Chen, I have notified my front desk secretary of your wife’s situation, and she will be sure to admit your wife Christina. I am Dr. Goldin, by the way.

But, Dr. Goldin, I still have three months to go to deliver the baby. How come I have to deliver him right now? Christina now exclaimed over the speakerphone, almost in a frenzy.

Don’t worry, our hospital staff will tell you exactly what to do in this kind of situation. I am certain the baby will be fine, Dr. Goldin had attempted to explain as calmly as possible. I will give your husband the driving directions. Don’t worry. Everything will be alright, Christina darling. Dr. Goldin answered. Deep in Christina’s mind, unfortunately, her only pounding thoughts remained on her son in her womb. He’s only six months old in my womb, she thought, but she remained firm and brave and quietly prayed, Lord, please protect the baby and make sure he will be delivered safely.

Eric could not believe his ears. But the baby is not mature enough to deliver yet, and Christina is only six months pregnant sir, he replied.

The hospital will take care of it, I am sure, Dr. Goldin answered emotionally before finally hanging up the phone.

Eric and Christina’s hearts and the phone simultaneously dropped. They both dared not ponder over the OB doctor’s words, only forced themselves to recollect their thoughts and focus on the task at hand. Eric said, Honey, I want you to go grab a coat. Looks like we’re going to Mercy Hospital, even if it’s the last thing that kills us this morning.

Alright, Eric, thank you, were the only words Christina could mutter at this point in time.

You’re very welcome, sweetie, Eric said as he gave her a quick kiss on the lips as he bolted out the bedroom and rushed towards the garage. The night seemed so long and painful as Christina got out of bed in agony.

On the way to the hospital though, she could not hold back her tears or fear any longer. Christina shivered intensely in the passenger seat next to Eric.

Don’t cry, honey. You might just make me cry too, Eric calmly tried to say. But he knew he was just as nervous.

What are we going to do? Why are these things happening to us? Christina sobbed uncontrollably in the midst of her flood of tears.

Suddenly, Eric stared out over the dashboard and exclaimed, I think we are lost.

Upon hearing this, Christina stopped crying. She now knew she had to be strong for her husband in times like these, for she was her husband’s anchor. Everything is going to be alright just like the doctor said. At this time, we only need to trust in Him, Christina prayed.

Eventually by morning, the Chens arrived to see the attending OB/GYN physician. True to his words on the phone, the staff was prepared to take Christina inside. She was escorted by a wheelchair into a delivery room.

Mrs. Chen, this belt is for the baby’s heartbeat and this tube is for the oxygen, informed the nurses. The staff and nurses helped her change into a hospital gown, and they lifted her into a bed. She then shortly noticed it was already titled back just for her. After all the attending nurses left the room, the pain was soon to come again.

Oh no, I’m having another contraction again Eric, Christina cried in agony.

Don’t you worry; I will call the nurse on duty, just wait here, Eric responded in a painful voice. He held Christina’s hands tightly, as nothing else seemed to be more painful than watching your own wife struggle like this.

A nurse soon burst into the room as she checked on Christina. Mr. Chen, it looks like the medicine we are giving her is not strong enough to stop the contraction. I am going to call the doctor and ask him what to do, reported the nurse.

Please hurry, my wife is in a lot of pain, Eric cried loudly.

The night seemed to continue to drag on endlessly. Christina eventually realized she was lying in a room full of many other pregnant women. One could hear nothing but the sheer sounds of continuous screaming and moaning. It felt exactly like hell. People were screaming and crying every five minutes or so.

I can’t stand the pain anymore, please let me out of here, the woman in the bed next to Christina screamed at the top of her lungs.

It was then that Christina sensed her husband not being in the room with her.

You normally hear these women scream like freaks at this time of day, the nurse spoke to Christina as she quickly came by and checked her temperature.

Christina, however oddly enough, remained very quiet and still. She did not cry and scream like the others. Instead, she prayed in utter silence when she knew she did not have the strength to pray aloud. She prayed for the baby’s organs to be healthy and strong. She prayed he would have all ten fingers and ten toes. Christina knew she had turned the Almighty for protection and guidance.

She eventually felt tired and went to sleep. Eric, still burnt out, sat sluggishly in an armchair in the lounge. The most difficult thing, he thought, was that I couldn’t help my wife, no matter how hard I tried, no matter how much I wanted to. He felt completely helpless and desperate.

A nurse later approached him and said, Mr. Chen, I think it’s best if you were to go home and rest yourself, so your wife can have a good night’s sleep.

You are right. I just—I just don’t know how to help her at all. Maybe I can go grab something from home to comfort my wife with, Eric tirelessly conceded as he slowly rose and limped to the main entrance.

One could still hear the faint chorus of I’ll Be Home for Christmas dreamily playing in the dim hallway. Strong winds forcefully howled at the windowpanes outside with the might of a lion’s roar. It was December 23, the night before Christmas Eve. Eric soon disappeared into the dark and windy night as the leaves danced in tiny circles on the street below.

2 | The Unexpected Blessing

Christina was bound in her hospital bed for a long time. She was wired from her abdomen down with tubing of all kinds. Her throat was parched, but the nurses restricted her liquid intake so that she could not drink anything. She was straining to open her eyes, but everything appeared to be a bright blurry vision. Turned out, the nurses had already confiscated her glasses, but her eyes were useless without them. She could only use her four other senses to hang in there.

Eric was still very worried as he hovered around Christina’s bed like a tiresome dog, anxiously pacing the floor, taking note of her every move. The heavy dosage of medicine and the screaming, hellish environment made her want to escape this place immediately. Nevertheless, she could not. The only thing she could do was to simply hang in there and hope for the best. She soon drifted off into an uneasy sleep.

It is a rainy afternoon in the city. After a long day at work, Christina gone for a walk and saw an inviting coffeehouse six blocks down the street. She strolled in seemingly unnoticed by the large crowd of cheerful people in the room, quickly ordered a latte, and spied an empty window seat. As she slowly sipped her coffee, Christina gently whispered to the baby in her womb, How do you feel Joshua? Is the coffee warm and soothing? she smiled and rubbed her invisible baby.

Unknowingly to Christina however, a mysterious man in a shining silver trench coat and a fedora would be following and watching her every move. He had a strong, athletic build with a stern, ice-cold gaze in his eyes; and to make matters worse, he had only one mission to fulfill: eliminate Christina and her expectant son. But he would not dare kill her in the coffeehouse, no. He would eagerly wait for the moment she gets up and starts to walk out the door, and then lunge forth and strangle her to death.

Yes, that is ingenious. Ingenious, he planned as an evil grimace slowly began to appear on his face.

An hour passed as Christina sipped her coffee and smiled at the thought of one day being able to hold Joshua in her arms. You have been such a good boy, she assured the baby in her womb, I can’t wait for the day when I am finally able to scoop you up and hold you in my arms. Baby Joshua seemed to respond to the sound of his mother’s voice with a slight kick and