A Father’s Reflections

Just a bit of history before her birth:
Faithfully, my wife, Jacqueline and I were going to her doctor’s appointments in our hometown of Meridian, Mississippi.
We had been told that the baby was going to be born on February 14th Valentine’s Day, so, I got excited, however, she didn’t arrive that day.
We had concerns, but not too alarming. We had to wait just like the other births, the babies come when they are ready.

The Preparation for the Arrival…….
Friday, February 22, 1985, was a beautiful sunny day, as we arrived at Jeff Anderson Memorial Hospital.
Anticipation was in the air as we were waiting for the arrival of what this birth would be as the new addition to our growing family and, if it was going to be a girl.
Ja’Cena Shamel Cole would be her name. Lord, I was surely hoping that it would be!
We were told that our baby’s doctor wasn’t in town. So, we had to accept the doctor on duty that morning. We weren’t quite sure of him since he wasn’t my wife’s regular doctor.
I had never been in the delivery room for my other three children’s births, so I had nervous excitement about being inside to witness the birth of our baby. Oh, Wow, what an experience! Fathers don’t ever deny yourselves the opportunity to witness the birth(s) of your child (ren)!
While we were in the delivery room, we were told that there were complications with the delivery. The baby was not in the birth canal. They tried using forceps to try and bring the baby closer for delivery but they were not successful.
So, when the nurse readjusted the bed that my wife was on, the baby slid down. Thank you, Lord!
When she was finally delivered, I looked at her; she was gray and lifeless and resembled my father’s mother. We were told that the womb had ruptured and some of the embryonic fluids had gotten into her lungs. Plus, she had been there 8 days. I began to pray and shortly, afterwards, while they were working on her which seemed like it was taking the longest time, since we didn’t know what was happening. But God soon allowed her to make her first cry and began breathing. Thank you, Jesus!
When they finally brought her to us, we were told that her arm was sprained. They had loosely tied it down with cloth to allow her arm to heal since they had used the forceps.
Despite all that, it was an incredibly special day for our baby. She was the only girl born in the hospital at the time while all the other babies in the nursey were boys. She had the staff on the baby ward buzzing with excitement because she was born with a head full of soft curly hair. People were telling others to come see her. I was a proud dad because of the attention she was getting.
God had given us such a special fighting baby girl who was determined to live. So, we were glad to give her the name, Ja’Cena Shamel Cole.
Around the age of 7 or 8 months, I heard her humming, Oh, it’s Jesus by Andrae Crouch, I was ecstatic and overjoyed with the fact that she was doing it, especially with the tune being in her mind and the ability to recall and hum it.
Oh, It is Jesus Andrae Crouch

Acknowledgements….
To my children, Darris (LeighAnn, Donovan, Desmond) > I want to thank you for stepping in to be her big brother and for showing so much dedication and love for our family. Jerrick (Joselyn, JayAnna, Joaquin) > You had been the one that stood back and made sure to assist with your support whenever you could. Your perseverance is still inside you, so thrive to be the best you can be. Now you, Le’Ondra, what can be said about a daughter who devoted so much of herself to be what Ja’Cena needed so early in both of your lives, for that alone, Daddy is more than proud of you. I know it seemed, at times, that no one understood what you were going through, but I want you to know that God kept and is keeping good records of your acts of love. It may hurt for now, but joy and strength come when you least expect it. I have so much to be thankful to God for each of you. We, all, have memories with Ja’Cena that each of us can reflect on individually and collectively. These are a few words from my heart but not the fullness of my deepest love for all of you. We know that she loved us very much. So, I want to encourage you to continue to live and allow God to give you His Peace and Comfort during this time and especially, afterwards.
I want to thank God for giving me His help on what to and how to do since this is the first time for me regarding one of my children.
I made a call to my niece, Brittany, a website guru, in my opinion, and share my plan about having an online service. The plan was implemented and was beginning to get organized.
Brittany thanks, again, for your amazing talents in compiling this online celebration of life. Joshua, thank you for your compassion and the commitment you, both, made. I love you and Brittany, very much for your love of family. Thanks!
To my brothers, I love you all. Bennie, thank you for officiating this service. To my niece, LaDonna, you know how Uncle Leon feels about you and what you are doing. You are a Godsend because you just wanted details and information to help accommodate this request. Thank you! To Queen and the rest of the family (Sonja, Michael, Dexter, Dempsey, Joseph, and Benjamin) from the beginning, you all drew Ja’Cena into your hearts, thanks to all of you.
Calvin, you already know, you, Ella (in Eternity with the Lord) and children (Joshua, Jeremiah, Jessica & Josiah) had always been there for us since we had come to the island.
Kennie (Janease), David (Shirley, Reco & Joseph), and Larry (Makiko) and your children (Leianna, Leticia, Lorraine & L J) words cannot truly express my gratitude from you all throughout the years.
Appreciations….
Thank you, Father God, for giving us Ja’Cena. Now, she is in Eternity with you. I love you, Lord, as I continue to live for you, I will be able to see my baby girl, again. That is my prayer for all my children. In Jesus Name! Amen, Amen, and Amen!
For the other members of our family, relatives, and friends, thanks to those of you who would like to share fond memories of Ja’Cena.
Again, thank you all!

Final Words….
On behalf of my daughter, Ja’Cena Shamel Cole’s Celebration of Life, I want to give thanks to God for allowing me this opportunity to reflect on the beginning of her life as she arrived in our lives and for keeping her here so we could shower our love upon her and to cherish her for 39 years. Her transition on Saturday, September 28, 2024, was God’s decision to bring His special gift back home to be with Him. In Jesus Name! Amen, Amen, and Amen! Thank you all!

P. S. > On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, I was sharing with her mother about my devotion with The Lord. He placed this in my heart about Ja’Cena….
When she was born, she grabbed His Hand and He pulled her into this world. When she transitioned, He came to grab her hand and to lead her into Eternity to be with Him.
Goodbye my baby, Daddy loves you! It was always our last words over the phone.