I held her for the first time. She never cried, she didn’t make a sound, and as Mama cleaned her face with a warm wet towel, I gently said, “Layla,” and she opened her eyes. Then, without the slightest hesitation, she smiled at me.

Everyone was laughing and smiling. Maggie was crying and so was I. Time was standing still and then Mama Vermillion said, “Now put her down on Maggie’s chest, Mr. Jim, so she can meet her mama.”

As I placed Layla on Maggie’s chest, I watched in utter amazement as my two girls lay there. I was still reeling from a powerful energy in the room like nothing I had ever felt before. It felt like a door had opened from another world to let this new life in. I was speechless and present to what was happening and completely in the moment with this miracle.

I heard Mama say, “Mr. Jim, remember, now you need to cut the umbilical cord like we talked about. You remember how Mama taught you to do it?”