“Fine, let him have a special mark on his back or somewhere else. Why does it have to be on his face?”
“Do you think I put it there?” Sarah shot back. “That’s just how he was born.”
“I didn’t realize my daughter was so spiritual,” her father remarked dryly.
“You know, Dad, when you wait for a child for this long, you start believing in a higher power. What is the problem here? Don’t you like your grandson?”
Her parents exchanged a look. It was clear they hadn’t really looked at their grandson at all. They’d seen the birthmark and immediately left the room.
“We like him, I guess,” her father said uncertainly. “We didn’t really get a good look.”
“Oh, so you had time to inspect the birthmark, but not the actual baby?” Sarah’s voice began to rise, and just then, the doorbell rang.
It was Sarah’s sister with her husband and two daughters, aged eight and seven. The girls immediately ran to see their new baby cousin. No one had told them he was tiny and they needed to be quiet. Naturally, their shouting woke Kevin up. Michael gave Sarah a look that said, “I’ve got this, you handle the guests.”
Sarah greeted her sister, who congratulated her on the long-awaited heir and then went into the nursery. She came out less than two minutes later with the same expression as their parents. Sarah was starting to get angry.
“I don’t understand what everyone’s problem is. This is my child, with or without a birthmark. I love him, and I waited ten long, painful years for him. For Michael and me, the only thing that matters is that he’s healthy.”
Just then, Michael’s parents and his brother’s family arrived. There were hugs and congratulations, and then they all filed into the nursery. They came out just as quickly, claiming they didn’t want to disturb the sleeping baby. But Sarah could see it on their faces—they didn’t like the mark on her son’s face either. Michael realized it was time for him to step in before his wife had a breakdown.
The entire family gathered in the kitchen. The kids were sent to Michael and Sarah’s room to stay out of the way. The family summit was in session.
“Alright, everyone,” Michael began calmly. “We understand that our son’s appearance was a surprise. Yes, he has a small birthmark on his forehead. But first of all, it’s tiny. And second, it’s not a physical defect that will stop him from living a normal, healthy life. We honestly don’t understand this reaction, and we’re asking you to please keep your opinions to yourselves.”
Everyone stared at Michael in silence. Sarah looked at her husband with immense gratitude. Michael’s father was the first to break the silence.
“Kids, we really are happy for you. It’s just, we didn’t expect him to be born…” He paused, trying to find the right words. “…special.”
“Dad, a ‘special needs’ child is something entirely different, just so you know. Kevin is perfectly healthy. Let’s drop this.”
“Okay, not special, but different. Have you looked into maybe getting plastic surgery to correct the defect?”
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