A Triumph of Love

By Heather Marshall

The author Heather Marshall was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1952. Her parents were separated before she was born and since her father had always lived in South Carolina, the first time they met was when she was twenty-seven. She went to high school in Dundonald near Belfast and did not go to college at that time. She met her husband Mic

• Language: English
• Publisher: Go To Publish
• Release date: Apr 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9781647498931

Heather Marshall

Heather Marshall is the instant #1 bestselling author of Looking for Jane. She worked in politics and communications before turning her attention to her true passion: storytelling. Heather lives with her family near Toronto. Visit her website at HeatherMarshallAuthor.com or connect with her on Instagram @HeatherMarshallAuthor.

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A Triumph of Love

Copyright © 2023 by Heather Marshall

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher or author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.

ISBN-Kindle: 978-1-64749-893-1

Printed in the United States of America

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Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

About The Author

Introduction

We do not know what life has in store for us which are just as well. Our hopes and dreams do come true sometimes, but sometimes they are not as fulfilled as we ha d desired.

It is hard when the turn of our life takes a hard path, out of our control and we can see no way out, where do we turn for comfort and relief? This story is an attempt to share a part of my life when I was just as trapped as anyone by circumstances that I couldn’t control, and I did find a way into the light, from the dark place of my despair.

I haven’t always lived in the Unites States. In fact, we moved here in 1981. The events leading up to our emigration to this country are the basis for my story.

I was born in Belfast N. Ireland in 1952. My birthplace would have been South Carolina, had it not been for my mother’s decision to return home to her native Belfast, 5 months pregnant with me and also taking my older brother Roland. The differences between my mom and dad had led her to feel she had no other choice.

This led me to grow up in Belfast with my Ulster family, amid the years of The Troubles and the years passed. We have been living in South Carolina for 42 years now and such a difference in our lives that we could not have credited those days when, so much had happened to our young family that had a twist of fate that we could never have foreseen, or the way to get out of it and live a normal family life. Due to what happened to me after our son was born, I found myself in the blackest place of my life unable to imagine a way out. I can only say that the way out came not from me, but from God above, who helped me find the inner strength to see the path we must take to see that we would one day raise our son.

Of course Michael, my loving and ever supporting husband was my backbone, undying support and never ending love who kept me going when I just couldn’t go on.

You see, we were in a position that it seemed there was no way out of, but we were shown, I believe by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the path that we must take out of our pain to end. Our faith that God would find a solution for our family to be one was rewarded.

My story follows.

Chapter 1

When couples decide to start a family they seldom think of pitfalls that may be encountered along the way. Usually, they think it will all be plain sailing from conception to birth and beyond. The goal of a trouble fee pregnancy and a beautiful happy baby is all most expect. When the experience is less than perfect it is for any of us, who have had a more difficult path to motherhood, it is hard for u s to bear.

My problem was a traumatic postpartum bipolar episode of such a degree that our child was removed from our care and put in the custody of the Department of Social Services. This threatened to be a permanent situation and cause our family to be divided before it had begun to bond. Our expected dream to raise our own son was shattered.

The first time I became pregnant, we were so thrilled. We were ready for this phase of our lives. Sadly, it was not to be, by nine weeks along, I had miscarried. We had really wanted the baby and were devastated. I coped somewhat with the grief by telling myself that at least I could conceive. So we trusted that, when the Lord was ready, he would send us another baby in his time.

About a year afterwards I found I was pregnant again. Michael and I were overjoyed. We were cautious in the beginning until the early months passed and we became more sure that everything seemed as if it would be fine. Though as time passed I was more happy and contented in my pregnancy than I thought possible.

I was looking forward to when my baby bump would start swelling, letting the world know that I was joining the ranks of the world’s masses of motherhood. The only downside to this wonderful event was that almost from the beginning I had severe morning sickness, which turned out to be morning afternoon and all night sickness! Nothing, though despite the nasty yucks could dim my enthusiasm for the child growing within me. I love the little one more with each turn and kick. I couldn’t wait to cradle my child in my arms.

...........

I guess around seven and a half months of my pregnancy; I began having feelings of depression. I would cry for no reason. I had decided to give up working and had a visit from one of the community midwives at home. The tears were still in my eyes when I answered the door to her. She said it was just because of the waiting for the baby seeming so long. They said the same at my pre-natal visit at the hospital. I couldn’t understand any of this. I loved the baby inside me. I loved being pregnant. I had only wept once over the constant nausea and vomiting that had lasted the whole nine months. I’d wanted to give up my job in the Dept. Agriculture to be a full time mother. That was my choice.

I’d discounted the growing insomnia as being due to the many discomforts of late pregnancy and excitement about the coming event. Whatever the reason, no one paid much attention to my depressive symptoms, and I learned to suppress my feelings about them.

The baby was due on December 23rd, 1979. Well Christmas came and Christmas went; I had been treated like queen and thoroughly spoilt. It was a very enjoyable holiday.

Ten days after the due date I was to be up at the Ulster Hospital and ready to have the birth induced. After all the prep was completed I was put in a ward with three other mothers.

The doctor attending me started the induction around 9 am. She said Your baby will be born today.

I only had very mild contractions until about 3pm when labor started in earnest. Michael was there with me all the time. When we got into the delivery room I was really glad he was there. I think I’d have died without him. In the end I had been bearing down for almost an hour when finally our son Keith decided to come and join us at 6.55pm. He was so beautiful and completely normal. Our dreams were coming true.

Taken one or two days after Keith’s birth.

Chapter 2

So came the time we had waited for so long, getting to know this tiny little one, I had loved for so long already, it seemed like a miracle to be able to hold, nurse and care for who had been so recently still inside me. It was a little