Lucy is the kind of grandmother every kid wants: fun, energetic and full of love.
When her son and daughter-in-law announced they were pregnant, Lucy couldn't imagine anything better than having TWO grandchildren to spoil.
No one thought too much of her daughter-in-law's complaints of unrelenting headaches and abdominal pain; after all, she had been pregnant before and the medical team had not instructed her to report such symptoms.
On October 4, Lucy was called to come over to babysit because her daughter-in-law was having very mild contractions and was going to the hospital, even though her delivery was expected at the end of the month.
Lucy remembers; "I was putting my granddaughter to bed. She was so excited, her last words before she fell asleep were, 'Grandma, I'm so happy! I'm going to help mommy take care of my baby brother. I'm going to feed him and kiss him all up.'"
One hour later she got the phone call from her son that resounds in her mind to this day: "Ma, you need to get here ASAP. The doctors can't hear his heartbeat."
It was the first time any of the family heard the word "preeclampsia."
"He was so perfect; all he needed was to breathe," cries Lucy. "I asked God to take my breath and give it to him. I held him, unwrapped his blanket and counted all his fingers and toes. I told him how much he was wanted and loved, that I would never forget him, and when anyone asked how many grandchildren I had, I would always include him in my count."