Debra was nearly nine months pregnant with Rachel when the family car was destroyed by a drunk driver. Both should have been killed, but neither received a scratch. Was it a miracle?

Seventeen years later, a high school friend confides in Rachel that she is pregnant and, though considering abortion, asks for Rachel’s advice to determine what path to take. Rachel agrees to help, but she is troubled by the request. It becomes a heavy burden for such a young girl to handle alone. When Rachel’s mother, Debra, discovers that her tormented daughter came home early from school, she is there to help. In an emotional state, Rachel reveals the secret she was sworn to keep. Debra offers a plan of action, and the two women set out on a quest for knowledge.

Rachel takes her friendship seriously, determined to give the most thorough advice possible, while Debra becomes preoccupied with a burden of her own. In the end, Rachel’s friendship reveals Debra’s long kept secret.

“Honey, is something wrong? Are you sick? Do you have a fever?” Debra asked, feeling Rachel’s forehead with her cheek.
“Mom, it’s nothing,” Rachel snapped, breaking her silence.
“Okay, so you’re not sick, but something is troubling you. Talk to me, honey.”
“Mom, it’s nothing. Really, I’ll handle it!” Rachel insisted, twisting under her pink comforter.
“Honey,” Debra said, lightly stroking Rachel’s shoulder. “Things always seem worse when a person carries a burden alone. Please tell me what’s wrong. Who knows, maybe I can help.”
Rachel shifted uncomfortably as silence filled the air. Debra waited patiently, letting Rachel take as much time as she needed.
“Mom?” Rachel questioned, having a reversal of emotion.
“Yes, honey. I’m here.”
“Mom…, I just don’t know if I should say anything.”
“Okay?” Debra questioned, pausing to choose her words carefully. “I can’t make that decision for you; but can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Is it possible someone may get hurt by your silence?”
It was a simple question, but after speaking those words, Debra felt her daughter inhale deeply. Unbeknownst to anyone, Rachel had been struggling with that very question for days. With tears welling in her eyes, Rachel threw back the comforter, uncurled her torso, and answered her mother’s question.
“Yes! Oh, yes, mom! Someone could definitely get hurt!”
Rachel began to weep. Debra quickly wrapped her arms around her daughter and comforted her as only a mother could. Rachel gratefully returned the affection. For a moment they held each other and cried.
“I love you, Rachel,” Debra said, wiping the tears from her eyes, “but…but I still don’t know what’s troubling you.”

Jeff Wamboldt currently resides in Kenosha with his wife and two children. He is a pro-life advocate and supports such organizations as Wisconsin Right to Life and the Pro-Life Action League. In a life-changing moment, Jeff once spent three hours on a hot summer night trying to persuade a young woman not to have an abortion the following day. Jeff is a veteran police officer and writes a biweekly newspaper column with his crime prevention partner. He has appeared on numerous television and radio programs. His inspiration to write Insignificant Miracles came when his wife, Debra, eight months pregnant with their daughter, Rachel, was nearly killed in a drunk-driving accident.