Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Well THAT was kinda weird.

We had only been home an hour or so today when the phone rang.

Greg was outside so I answered, only to be met with the tell-tale 2 seconds of silence before a very far away voice in a crowded room of other busy voices began: "Hello?"

Usually I have hung up by this time, but every once in a while I feel like humoring whoever is on the other end. Today happened to be one of those days.

After asking for me by my first name and a perfunctory "How are you doing today?" today's caller introduced herself and her company, which I didn't recognize.

"We are the company that took pictures of your baby in the hospital a little over a year ago."

My brain-wheels began turning (while she kept talking) .... pictures...hospital.....ahaaa.... she means when he was born.

"....we are about to delete the pictures of your baby, but we wanted to offer you one more chance to buy these photos of your baby, before we delete the pictures of your baby forever. We have a special package for moms like you who have waited to buy these pictures of their baby...."

While she went on to describe the sizes of this special-deal package for us insensitive, procrastinating moms, I was thinking:

I had reasons for not buying those pictures when they were offered to us the first time, and even though I was going through the typical messed-up post-partum hormones, it was a good decision:

#1 - they were overpriced
#2 - we took our own pictures
#3 - Alan looked like a monkey

So to let this nice lady move on to the next unsuspecting mom of a now-toddler, I interrupted her sales pitch with a kind "no, thank you" and a little chuckle.

Not only had the image of those monkey-pictures popped into my head, I was also bombarded with a quick mental slideshow of all that has happened since those pictures were taken. Oh, if we only knew then where we would be now. It's probably a good thing we didn't. Our hearts would have broken. But, thankfully, we didn't know. Instead, we have lived it, one day at a time. And one day at a time isn't so bad.

But there was a brief moment in that phone call that I wanted to buy those pictures. I wanted to have all the pictures there are of my baby before. Before we knew. Before his liver quit working and he spent days screaming and his eyes turned yellow. Before he had surgeries and blood draws. But having those pictures wouldn't change any of that. Pictures and memories are precious to me, but looking back can sometimes be bittersweet. Instead, when we choose to live in the present we can simply enjoy the sweetness of each day.

Plus.... Alan really did look like a monkey in those pictures. ;)

11 comments:

Kristin said...

You. Oh you. You made me cry and then laugh in the time span of less than a minute!

Michelle said...

You continue to amaze me. He is a gorgeous boy, and you have lived through it all. And the new pics on caring bridge are GREAT! We especially liked the riding on the iv pole ones!

Smockity Frocks said...

Beautifully said! Living one day at a time..."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Shannon said...

Kind of like the song that I posted. If I had known what my life was going to be like I would have quit a long time ago. But its like the song I posted today, Now more than ever I cherish the cross, more than ever I sit at His feet. Oh so true.
And hey, about the monkey comments. My 3rd was an ugly baby. What kind of mother thinks that!?! But I did. I remember seeing that ultrasound at week 26 and thinking 'this has got to be a boy, there's no way a girl could have a nose like that'. Sure enough, he had a big nose. He quickly grew into it and is now a handsome young man like your little guy. :)

Karen said...

This is another great post, Amy!

As for hospital pictures - I have never liked the ones of my girls. I thought the girls themselves were beautiful (they are!) but the pictures are never flattering. We buy the cheapest package but I'm not sure why. Force of habit I guess.

Kelly said...

I have never gotten a phone call like that. It would be weird though. Happened upon your blog through the family friendly blogroll. Will say a prayer for you family today. God Bless

Kristen said...

Wow! Amazing. Just found your blog. So awesome.

Mommy said...

I never got those hospital pictures done. Well, I did have home births with two of mine. But I don't remember those photos with Sweetie. Funny now that you meantion that.

I just couldn't wait to get out of that place. I had a night nurse that really stressed me out!

Rick said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mommy said...

Oh, to answer your question about my blog design. Do you have Photo shop? If you do, then I maybe able to help. ;-)

Mommy said...

I keep forgetting to answer your questions!

I got the victorian picture from All Posters. ;-)