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The Smell of Rain

A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the Doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. Still groggy from surgery, her husband David held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news. That afternoon of March 10,1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24 weeks pregnant, to Danae Lu Blessing.

At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound and nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature. Still, the doctor’s soft words dropped like bombs. I don’t think she’s going to make it, he said, as kindly as he could. “There’s only a 10 percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one.” Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Danae would likely face if she survived. She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on. “No! No!” was all Diana could say. She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four. Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away.

Through the dark hours of morning as Danae held onto life by the thinnest thread, Diana slipped in and out of sleep, growing more and more determined that their tiny daughter would live, and live to be a healthy, happy young girl. But David, fully awake and listening to additional dire details of their daughter’s chances of ever leaving the hospital alive, much less healthy, knew he must confront his wife with the inevitable. David walked in and said that we needed to talk about making funeral arrangements. Diana remembers, ‘I felt so bad for him because he was doing everything, trying to include me in what was going on, but I just wouldn’t listen, I couldn’t listen. I said, “No, that is not going to happen, no way! I don’t care what the doctors say; Danae is not going to die! One day she will be just fine, and she will be coming home with us!”

As if willed to live by Diana’s determination, Danae clung to life hour after hour, with the help of every medical machine and marvel her miniature body could endure. But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Danae’s under-developed nervous system was essentially raw, the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn’t even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love. All they could do, as Danae struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl. There was never a moment when Danae suddenly grew stronger.

But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there. At last, when Danae turned two months old, her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time. And two months later-though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero. Danae went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.

Today, five years later, Danae is a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life. She shows no signs, what so ever, of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she is everything a little girl can be and more-but that happy ending is far from the end of her story.

One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Danae was sitting in her mother’s lap in the bleachers of a local ballpark where her brother Dustin’s baseball team was practicing. As always, Danae was chattering non-stop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell silent. Hugging her arms across her chest, Danae asked, “Do you smell that?” Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, “Yes, it smells like rain.” Danae closed her eyes and again asked, “Do you smell that?” Once again, her mother replied, “Yes, I think we’re about to get wet, it smells like rain. Still caught in the moment, Danae shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced, “No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest.” Tears blurred Diana’s eyes as Danae then happily hopped down to play with the other children.

Before the rains came, her daughter’s words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along. During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Danae on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.

This is a real story.

{ 67 comments… add one }
  • Idayat September 25, 2017, 9:00 am

    Wow! wonderful story.

  • Eva Arcillas November 7, 2016, 3:31 am

    Oh Andrew why are you doubting the Lord? why don’t you ask for blessing and guidance so you could see the beauty the Lord has done for you and for many..

  • Elu Phungreingam June 29, 2015, 10:57 pm

    Praise da Lord. Almighty God.

  • Anon April 9, 2015, 3:39 am

    I trust God!!!!!

  • Kiran k September 12, 2014, 2:39 am

    Good one

  • Edna March 28, 2014, 5:07 am

    Thanks for restoring my faith in God’s way of doing things.

  • Abha Garg December 10, 2013, 8:16 am

    Such a beautiful story, these kind of words help you believe in the presence of almighty and gives you new strength.

  • Mensah mary September 13, 2013, 7:25 pm

    We should always put our trust in our DADY LORD because he says in his words that he never leaves nor forsake us. I love u soooooooo much DADY kisses

  • Prasurjya April 3, 2013, 10:06 am

    Why every-time I read such stories tears roll down from my eyes..and I can’t really help it..

  • Teache March 24, 2013, 11:41 am

    God is really great ! Can’t help myself crying.

  • Jewel ify February 25, 2013, 5:11 am

    Nice story. Charm are you from Nigeria?

  • Bambi Cabantog January 24, 2013, 11:31 pm

    A very inspiring story…(God is here always)…

    If you die, there will always a specified reason that God could only answer… as quotes says, “life is short”, then enjoy every day’s life and spread your love to them. don’t wait, time is running, don’t wait for might your last minute would be taken….

  • Charm ♥ December 26, 2012, 9:55 pm

    I’m in awe after I read the story

  • Pinks November 28, 2012, 5:17 am

    NICE ONE…I do believe in GOD and he will be with us forever…Wana say thanks for his great blessing…!!

  • Abhi November 22, 2012, 10:41 pm

    No words to explain my good feeling.

  • Justina October 22, 2012, 1:02 pm

    I love this story, it is so great and inspirational.

  • Abdul Rahman September 23, 2012, 8:16 am

    Best story I ever heard.

  • Huong Nguyen September 7, 2012, 2:57 am

    Touching ~ =.= I can’t stop crying~

  • Nayumi August 27, 2012, 9:08 am

    Such an amazing story. It really touched me. GOD will always be in my heart and I will always be in his.

  • Annie August 20, 2012, 1:32 am

    Beautiful and touching story….Thanx for sharing..
    “A baby is God’s opinion that life should go on.”-by carl S.

  • Margaret August 7, 2012, 10:27 am

    God is always with us in our toughest situations

  • akib July 31, 2012, 12:57 am

    God is great. He loves us all…….

  • Nithya July 26, 2012, 2:07 am

    Small but a beautiful story to describe God’s mighty love and care…

  • Imonikhe July 2, 2012, 5:44 am

    That I may know Him. Hold His hand and strut the streets with Him.

  • Agnes June 27, 2012, 10:56 pm

    The story is a beautiful way of describing God’s Love, also the absolutely great way to inspire people. God is Love, Hallelujah.

  • Naodin June 26, 2012, 3:18 am

    I almost cried while reading this untold story…. 🙁

  • Varun June 21, 2012, 5:22 am

    It smells like rain!!! I realized that every moment have its smell. I believe that God is our ever present help in time of need. Hallelujah, Amen. Lovely story, keep up the good work.

  • Willem June 10, 2012, 9:49 pm

    It smells like rain!!! I realized that every moment have its smell.

  • Andrew April 29, 2012, 1:58 am

    I came here for some beautiful stories, and I don’t want to be a dick, but somehow I get this tendency to question the motive of the writer. This all ties up to this supernatural deity that somehow miraculously saved this girls life, while ignoring other kids, those with parents dying in front of their eyes not in a single digit – but instead at the astonishing rate of 100,000+ a day. That pisses me off that you would somehow be arrogant enough to say you have this personal relationship with this benevolent God you are portraying this God as while if he does exist, he is the tormentor for millions.

    Before you contribute or relate this story to God, question yourself why this ‘God’ you think that exists would bestow pain and suffering to millions, but offer blessing to your kid.

    Other than that, I’m happy that your kid is alive and well.

  • QUTUB SAILANAWALA April 19, 2012, 1:52 pm

    It’s an awesome story… It tells her that how GOD has mercy and confidence on us even if loose faith in ourselves during critical conditions… HATS OFF

  • Mim April 19, 2012, 1:25 am

    I believe that God is our ever present help in time of need. Hallelujah, Amen. Lovely story, keep up the good work.

  • Anna March 30, 2012, 8:21 pm

    One should never lose hope as miracles always happen.

  • SkyFlynn March 23, 2012, 6:14 pm

    very nice

  • Blair February 28, 2012, 6:01 am

    Indeed inspiring… Miracle is everywhere!
    Praise be to God!

  • ROMEL February 16, 2012, 11:36 pm

    Very inspiring hope others will be able to read this especially those who are almost losing their trust to Him in times of dire needs in their life. Have faith in HIM!

  • Shefali February 12, 2012, 1:00 am

    Wow that was amazing… I just loved it… it tells us that GOD is always there to help us… we just need to trust his wisdom.

  • Suman January 30, 2012, 5:12 am

    I don’t have a word to define God’s greatness. THANX A LOT

  • Shouvik Mukherjee January 29, 2012, 9:11 am

    Awesome story……………..Great…………It touched my heart…………God is Great.

  • Amy January 27, 2012, 3:30 am

    Powerful. God is great and marvelous. He is glorious in his ways.

  • Ajay November 21, 2011, 3:57 am

    Truly heart touching story!!!
    May Lord pour all his blessing along those who r helpness indeed….

  • Maria November 4, 2011, 2:52 am

    Glory be to God on the highest!!! ^^-
    He very merciful to His children…

  • Tarun October 6, 2011, 3:25 pm

    Awesome@@@@@

  • Priyanka Kumari September 9, 2011, 3:32 am

    unbelievable………………….GOD KNOWS OUR NEED.

  • Marta Alonso August 8, 2011, 11:02 pm

    with GOD by your side NOTHING is impossible!! GOD is greeeaaaaat!!!

  • Silvia August 1, 2011, 1:03 am

    oh I was touched by this.. I was recently asked for a prayer request of my friend who need prayer for her baby in he womb…this story would increase her faith i know….

  • Muchemi Joyce July 8, 2011, 9:33 am

    Wonderful lesson about the magic of faith in Almighty God! I am awed to even believe more in God!

  • Van July 5, 2011, 11:55 pm

    God is the best. All the time!

  • ViiKii June 23, 2011, 5:24 am

    Great Story!

  • Amit Byas April 24, 2011, 12:01 pm

    BELIEF made it happen…may god always bless that sweet girl..

  • garima gupta March 16, 2011, 7:35 pm

    God is there at every moment

  • Seshu March 16, 2011, 5:01 am

    NO words to say anything after reading this,,, but had a wonderful experience.

  • Paban January 27, 2011, 5:06 am

    Love and believe in GOD is all that count till the last breath of our life…… so never loose your faith in GOD… GOD is the only one who can turn impossible into I am possible…..

  • Jescetta January 17, 2011, 7:18 am

    God is greaaaat! Inspiring story! Only God can save us when we go through difficulties like this. God loves us more than we expect. He cares for us and even carries our burden. He is a faithful GOD! Fantastic and motivating story!

  • Gireesh November 16, 2010, 1:06 pm

    Good story. I liked it.

  • Art Bastida October 16, 2010, 2:42 am

    God is always there carry us..
    He loves us more than we ever knew.

  • Manu Krishna September 2, 2010, 12:27 pm

    God is great. I have heard that for every single step we take towards Him, He moves a ten steps closer to us. God is with us all. We cannot feel Him. But we can definitely feel His presence in every good things around us. He is everywhere. He is everything. And He is there everytime. Nothing happens without his awareness. Everything bears His stamp. This story instills this belief in its readers. Be good. Do good.

  • Priya Mathangi August 16, 2010, 11:59 am

    Am not bothered whether its a real story or made one.. What I understand from this is.. Belief in GOD brings changes in attitude, work and LIFE………….. Last but not the lease… Happy Ending

  • Vital July 11, 2010, 9:00 am

    This story is very close to me as my sister also servived fm such critical prematurity and now she is perfectly o.k.. !!Thankyou Almighty GOD

  • Aarthi dinesh July 8, 2010, 6:06 am

    Really very good story …

    which reveals that GOD is really there to help the needy during troubles…

  • Apk July 1, 2010, 5:02 am

    Very good story

  • Rimsha Amjad April 10, 2010, 1:57 pm

    Somehow know God will show His miracles on my brother as well. Reading such things me so sure. 🙂

  • Anjana Jayaraman April 5, 2010, 7:23 am

    It’s a short yet inspiring piece of work! Very motivating!!!!!!

  • Narise March 5, 2010, 5:31 am

    I believe this is how God works, He is amazing! He is always there, even in our deepest hurts and fears.

  • UMENDRA November 5, 2009, 8:52 am

    The GOd is great

  • Abhishek soni September 25, 2009, 4:35 pm

    Goooooooood work…………………..!!!!!

  • Cloe May 1, 2009, 3:49 am

    Is this story really real??!!

  • Steffi April 20, 2009, 6:43 am

    Good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:-)

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