When I was a baby of fourteen months, I had been through a long period of whooping cough when double pneumonia developed. The physicians said there was little hope of recovery. My father asked a neighbor to come to comfort my mother. She came at once. My parents didn't know that this neighbor was a Christian Science practitioner. In fact, they knew nothing of Christian Science.
I was not conscious. My mother and the practitioner found a quiet place to talk. The practitioner spoke to my mother of God's great love for all His Children. She also repeated the poem "The Mother's Evening Prayer" by Mrs. Eddy, which begins, "O gentle presence, peace and joy and power" (Poems). My mother felt a great sense of peace and the next time she looked at me, I was conscious, sitting up in my crib, and hungry. This Bible promise was once again fulfilled: "Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear" (Isaiah).
I was restored to normal weight and activity in a few days. With deep gratitude for this beautiful healing, my mother attended her first Christian Science church service. Science became the way of life for my mother and for us three children. Although my father never joined our church, he supported my mother's stand for Truth. Often he himself was receptive to the teachings of Christian Science and greatly benefited from them.
