Miracle mom

She woke up alone in a cold, white room.

Am I dead? she wondered. Is this heaven?

Nikole Morrow-Pettus, recovering from an emergency hysterectomy following an emergency C-section, was not in heaven, but she had been through hell. Pain, loss and disappointment had stalked her for years, a trio of wraiths that seemed to arrive at the worst possible moments, stealing her joy.

The Bible says God gives us only the burdens we are able to bear, and Nikole bore burdens that might have crushed a weaker spirit. Her difficult delivery followed a string of tragedies that would leave bruise marks on anyone’s soul.

When Montgomery Grey Pettus arrived at Piedmont Hospital on Jan. 5, he was 7 pounds and 14 ounces of perfection, a gift of happiness that followed years of sorrow, the answer to prayers Nikole had tucked away like a fading love letter, never to be read again.

ExploreRead the rest of the story here.

About the Author

‘Big Beautiful Bill’ strikes fear in Georgia’s clean energy, EV sectors

If the Senate's One Big Beautiful Bill Act passes, it would eliminate tax credits for EV purchases and installing solar panels and end subsidies for clean energy companies

2h ago

Sneaker Con draws masses to Atlanta for shoes and status

One Sneaker Con attendee Saturday in Atlanta said: 'Once you have that rush of buying, buying, buying, it’s like a drug. You can’t stop.'

Emory University custodian charged after woman found dead in Atlanta park

Police found an unresponsive woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and charged a 57-year-old man who had worked for Emory University until Wednesday.

The Latest

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

‘Big Beautiful Bill’ strikes fear in Georgia’s clean energy, EV sectors

2h ago

A.M. ATL: The land of cornbread

A.M. ATL: Came in like a wrecking ball

Featured

Credit: AP

Senate GOP passes budget bill Democrats describe as ‘a catastrophe’

Republicans in the U.S. Senate have passed the “big, beautiful bill” championed by President Donald Trump, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tiebreaking vote.

State Farm Arena top 5 globally in box office — behind only Sphere, MSG in U.S.

State Farm Arena brought in about $76.2 million across 60 events.

At a store that never closes, an armed comedian keeps the midnight watch

At JJ Food Mart on the west side of Atlanta, an armed comedian keeps the midnight watch. If you misbehave, Connell Daniels Jr. might put you on Instagram.