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The second triplet pregnancy was another miracle, but one that worried everyone in the whānau after they lost their eldest daughter Chervonne Magaoa in August 2017 while giving birth to their children Aayden, Blaise and Carson Magaoa.
Younger daughter Merekete McCabe, 34, is the same age as her sister when she died.
“It was scary for Merekete and her husband and it was scary for us. We were hoping it wouldn’t happen again,” Smith said.
“She was scared, she was broken. She and Chervonne were very close and that’s why she shed a lot of tears over this.”
Magaoa died after suffering an amniotic fluid embolism. The rare condition occurs when amniotic fluid, which surrounds the baby in the womb during pregnancy, enters the mother’s bloodstream.
Smith still easily remembers that fateful day, when he took Chervonne to the hospital for what was supposed to be a 30-minute weekly appointment, before doctors said there was a complication.
Fortunately, Merekete was uncomplicated and delivered three healthy babies by cesarean section on September 3 of last year.
Son Alohi was born first, followed by two girls, Ivy and Pia. His birthday is three days after his triplet cousins’ birthdays, on August 31.
The family, originally from Bridge Pā, now live in Hawaii. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, only Merekete’s husband, George McCabe, was able to be with her.
The rest of the family waited at home for the phone to ring.
“It didn’t take long, but everyone was on pins and needles.”
The Covid restrictions also meant that the huge support system provided by what Smith called “the village” – family, friends, and church members – who helped care for the Magaoa triplets when they were born, couldn’t happen to their cousins anymore. youths.
Smith, who lives with Chervonne’s husband, Martin, and their eldest son Tanner, now 9, cares for their triplet grandchildren full time during the day while his son-in-law is at work.
For the past six months, Smith has also helped care for the younger triplets, something he loves to do, he says.
“Merekete’s husband George has to work, of course, so I’m going to help out at the end of the week and on the weekend.
“Nighttime moments are the hardest. When we go to sleep, I take care of a baby and she will have two.”
When the triplets met their triplet cousins
Describing the first time the older triplets met their cousins, he said the connection was instantaneous.
“The boys love them. I tell them: ‘They are triplets like you.’ I don’t know how they understand it, but they know that everyone is special.
On helping raise Chervonne’s children, in particular, he said it was a responsibility not taken lightly.
‘She was the best mother’
“They are big shoes to fill because she was meticulous about everything. She was the best mother to Tanner.
“She was the mother of the child that the other mothers wanted their child to be in the same class with, because Chervonne bought snacks not only for her son, but for all the children in the class.”
Her triplet children continue to thrive, as does her brother Tanner, who was only 6 years old when their mother died.
“Tanner doesn’t really remember Chervonne, but that’s why you have a dad, to keep those memories alive.
“I also do that with triplets, every day. When I wash their faces, I tell them, ‘Mommy wants a clean face. She wants me to comb your hair. She wants her children to look good and handsome.’
Smith said he often thought of his daughter Chervonne and his late wife Barbara Jean, who died in 2014.
“When my wife died, I was prepared for that. But he wasn’t ready for Chervonne.
“When my wife died, he said, ‘Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll take care of you.’
He remained “incredibly grateful” for all of his grandchildren and for the love and support the family continues to receive from around the world, including friends and family and even strangers in New Zealand.
“With everything that has happened, I can’t help but feel blessed.
“I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s meant to be and I’ll see it when I see it.”
