Congratulations. You’re pregnant.
Being forty something I thought perhaps my hearing was going, so I asked the caller to repeat their message. Same reply. You’re pregnant.
Two little words and my life was forever changed. I remember falling to the floor and sobbing for joy. I am an emotional person, yet I can remember only a handful of times when I have openly wept, and this was one of them. And why not?
Married 15 years. 43 years-old. Praying and begging and bargaining with God for years for a child. If only you’ll give me a child I’ll…
Enduring every Mother’s Day, wondering if it would ever be my turn. Watching the rest of my family with their children and being the only one without. Spending years with doctors and operations and tests and drugs and needles. And yet, hearing those two words, the trials and heartaches and disappointments faded to the back of my mind and seemed fuzzy and distant.
I looked up at my husband, who was crying too. I rubbed his face and felt his tears. “What are you doing?” he asked. “I’m making sure this is not a dream,” I whispered. Then I slapped him, a bit too hard I guess.
The wonderful wimp cried out in pain. The Kodak moment was shot all to bits.
We floated on air for the first few days. When the shock wore off, we decided it would be best to keep our pregnancy a secret for the first few months; after so many disappointments as well as a family history of miscarriages during the first thirteen weeks, we decided we would first tell only a few trusted family members and friends. Then, if all was still well after that time, we would go public.
We got out the calendar and counted off the thirteen weeks. Providentially, our “tell it to the world” date fell on May 24th, my husband’s 70th birthday. (My husband is an exceptional man.)
Easter Week, when I was five weeks pregnant, my husband had to go out of town on business. On Good Friday, I started having some problems and went to the doctor. The doctor was out of town so his head nurse examined me. I was totally unprepared for the news she gave me. Shock. Disbelief. My life flashing before my eyes. How could this be? After all this time, waiting, praying, hoping and then this? This was some Good Friday!
I was pregnant with TWINS!! (I told you my husband was an exceptional man.)
I was in such a state of shock when I left that I couldn’t find my car. A nurse had to go outside with me to help me find it. To this day, I am still unclear exactly how I got home.
When could I tell my husband? Not until Sunday because he was out of town. And how would I tell him? Not over the phone. I had visions of him thudding to the floor clutching his chest, the phone conking him in the head and rendering him unconscious.
For the next few days, I tried to keep my tone light when talking to him on the phone, all the while plotting how to break the news. I decided to go the gift route. After all, this was not exactly something one could do with a card. I had never seen a Hallmark that said “Congratulations. You’re 70 years old and having twins.” So I bought two pair of little booties and wrapped them up, using a huge bow as a distraction.
On Easter Sunday when my husband came home, I presented the gift to him at our kitchen table. (I wanted to be sure he was sitting.) As long as I live, I will never forget the look on his face. First puzzlement. Scratching his head, pondering. Then slowly, the dawn of enlightenment.
“TWINS?” he asked finally in disbelief. “This means TWINS?” I gave him a nervous smile and nodded. The silence was deafening. I looked closer to make sure he was still breathing. Finally I said, “Honey, are you all right? Is this okay?”
He stared at me a long time. Eventually he opened his mouth. “I don’t think we can handle one,” he replied. “Two shouldn’t make any difference.” Then he broke into a huge grin and rushed over to hug me.
My husband is indeed an exceptional man.
Our adventure had begun. So…how do a 43 year-old woman and a 70 year-old man raise twins?
Stay tuned.
778 words
Copyright Ó 2004 Lynn Floyd Wright
You might have been 43 in "number" age, but you still haven't grown up! Your twins are so fortunate to have you and Dave for parents (not to mention wonderful Aunt and Cousin, who shall remain nameless!) God knows whom He places His angels with--and He knew that those two angels needed you and Dave. You are a wonderful Mother, among many other things!
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