When andrea was worrying about the bills during our last day in the hospital, I reminded her of what our colleague once said about babies - Each baby comes with his/her own baon. I told her anika comes with hers too, we just have to wait and look for it. It was a frail attempt to make her laugh but she showed a smile anyway.

Although I know he didn’t mean it literally, but it would have been a bit more comforting if indeed anika came out with a bullion of gold in hand, or a golden egg. Instead, she came with nothing but a deeper appreciation of life for us. She may not have been accompanied with money or treasure, but she came with a wealth of understanding for us. Because for the first time, we fully realized how difficult and miraculous deliveries are, and how fortunate we are to have both mama and baby alive and well.

Never mind about the money. I told andrea that we’ll be given means to get the help we lacked, and sure enough we did, in the form of people close to us. What’s truly important is that they’re all right – with painful surgery yes, but healthy nonetheless.