After losing his beloved wife Joan during childbirth, David found himself in the depths of despair. He was unable to look at their newborn daughter or deal with his late wife’s belongings. The heaviness of his grief was too much, and his life came to a standstill.

The heart-wrenching memory of the doctor’s words, “Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t save your wife. She’s gone, sir,” echoed in his mind. These words accompanied him daily after Joan’s passing. Lucky for David, his mother stepped in to help, caring for the baby while he retreated into himself.

For months, David managed just the basics. His loss felt insurmountable; all his actions were mechanistic and devoid of joy. His mother, noticing this downward spiral, insisted on therapy, hoping it could help mend his broken heart. Reluctantly, David agreed, beginning a journey of healing.

The therapy sessions gradually led him to glimpses of hope. Thoughts of his wife lingered, but the sharp sting of pain softened over time. Despite progress, David still couldn’t bring himself to hold his daughter. He wondered if it might be best to give her a chance with another family who could provide her the love she deserved.

Yet, deep within, David knew this wasn’t the solution. His recent reflections had brought him to another decision—he was ready to sort through Joan’s belongings, finally. This was a significant step, one he knew could help with closure.

He sat down with Joan’s things, unlocking a chapter that he left untouched since her passing. Her hospital bag had remained neglected, a mute testament of his great loss. Brave enough for the first time since, he opened it, finding her phone among other items.

The phone, lifeless since Joan’s labor, was now nestled in his hand. He connected it to a charger and busied himself with her clothes. After some time, he returned to it, now buzzing with notifications and heartfelt messages, remnants of a life filled with love and friends.

The texts began with excitement, friends congratulating Joan on her impending delivery. Yet as he read through them, one conversation with her friend Melissa caught his eye. “It’s a pity you sacrificed your life…”

Perplexed, David dove deeper into the message history. This was not what he remembered. Joan’s death had been an unforeseen tragedy. Nothing could have hinted at such a doom. What had Melissa meant?

As he delved into the past texts, he learned of Joan’s struggles. “The doctors said something scary,” she had texted Melissa.

“What? What’s going on? Are you okay?” Melissa’s concern was evident in every message.

Joan admitted to her friend that her doctors had warned her about possible complications from high blood pressure. Those complications were severe enough that Joan considered terminating the pregnancy.

As David continued reading, he saw that Joan had told Melissa she couldn’t bear to end the pregnancy because it matched his long-held dream of becoming a father.

Melissa had pleaded with Joan to reconsider, fearing the dire risks. “Joan, you could die! He wouldn’t want that. He loves you!” she texted with urgency. But Joan’s mind was set—her love for David and their child outweighed her concerns. She resolved to continue, believing the baby’s birth was a dream come true for both her and David.

The full weight of this revelation paralyzed David. Joan had consciously risked everything for him and their child. He had been lost in a haze of grief, pushing away the very life Joan had left behind. Their daughter was her ultimate gift.

Overwhelmed with emotion, tears flooded David’s eyes — not of despair this time, but of resolve. He would become the father Joan beleived him to be. In honor of Joan’s selfless love, he would surround their daughter with endless affection and stories of her brave, beautiful mother.

Determined, he picked up his phone and called his mother. “Mom,” he said, his voice cracked but full of conviction, “bring her back. I’m ready now.”

His mother’s voice carried a weightless relief at the other end, “Oh, thank God!” she almost broke down, holding back her own tears.

In retrospect, Joan’s sacrifice was not in vain. David now knew exactly what to do, and honoring Joan’s final act of love would be the guiding light for his future as a father.