Sunday, September 23, 2007

September 23rd

This is a poem that appears to be floating around hospitals and other similar places, unfortunately I can't quite verify the author. The version we have says it was written by Diane Critcher but the sources appear to be conflicting. Anyway, I think it describes some of the thoughts and feelings we have had recently.

When you're going to have a baby. It's like you're planning a vacation to Italy. You're all excited. You get a whole bunch of guidebooks and you learn a few phrases in Italian so you can get around. When it comes time, you pack your bags and head for the airport--- for Italy.

Only when you land, the flight attendant says, "Welcome to Holland."

You look at one another in disbelief and shock and say. "Holland? What are you talking about? I signed up for Italy!"

But they explain there's been a change of plans and you've landed in Holland, where you must stay. "But I don't know anything about Holland! I don't want to stay!"

But you do stay. You go out and buy some new guidebooks. You learn some new phrases and you meet people you never knew existed. the important thing is that you are not in a filthy, plague infested slum, full of pestilence and famine. You are simply in a different place than you had planned. It's slower-paced than Italy, and less flashy than Italy, but after a while, after you have the chance to catch your breath, you begin to discover that Holland has windmills. Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone else you knew is busy coming and going from Italy. They are all bragging about what a great time they had there, and for the rest of your life you will say. "Yes, that's where I was going. That's what I had planned."

The pain of that will never, ever go away.

you have to accept that pain because the loss of that dream, the loss of that plan, is a very, very significant loss. But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy you will never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.

Jack is holding his own, we'll have more to tell you when we talk to the doctor tomorrow.

3 comments:

Pamela said...

Me encanto el poema. Que cierto verdad? nosotros planeamos y planeamos y ya ves, Nuestro Padre Celestial tiene un itinerario muy diferente. Lo bueno es que la Agencia de Viajes del Padre es muchisimo, pero muchisimo mejor!!

Fuerzas,

Pamela

Wright Family said...

Hi guys, that is a beautiful poem, and explains perfectly how we feel as well. You have been so strong through all of this and I want you to remember that you and little Mr. Jack are in our prayers every day. Not a day goes by that we don't think about you guys. We are praying that you have good news today and that Jack continues to make progress. The Wrights

Breea said...

We are still praying for you guys...It is so amazing the people you have met and will meet there at the hospital. Even though Landen was only in the NICU for a week there were people who changed how we look at life forever! I am glad you are smelling the flowers there and we hope to hear more soon!
love, breea, travis, and landen