RE: STACH Short Story Contest #29: 199 words, 5 winners, 15SB prize pool!
When Josef was born it was a miracle for his parents. Amanda and Charles got married, both were 36 years old, having a child for Amanda at that age was dangerous but the desire to be a mother was more than the medical risks of getting pregnant.
Amanda and Charles tried to have a baby for about 5 years, but due to medical complications Amanda lost the baby a few months later. Sad and hopeless were about to give up and look for other alternatives such as adoption when an aunt of Amanda advised him not to give up and have faith.
Amanda listened to her aunt and went to the church where she was baptized and had not walked in more than 10 years. He prayed and promised the Virgin Mary that if she managed to have a child she would go all the way from her house to the church on her knees.
Amanda had a baby. When Josef met his first year, Amanda kept his promise to walk the church to his knees, no matter that at the end of his journey his knees were tanned by the dirty street, because his faith was renewed.