A Tale of Two Gizmos

Big Dave was taking out the trash the other day (note to self: garbage pail in baby's room needs to be emptied every day, or woe be unto the person who forgets). As he was putting the cans out by the roadside, he happened to notice two rabbits nearby. They hadn't seen him yet, so they went about their business of eating the tall grass near the well shed. He looked closer. One of the rabbits looked familiar. He inched his way over towards them. At this point, the rabbits noticed he was getting closer and became suspicious. Before they could run for the woods, Big Dave got a good look at one of them. He came running inside and announced, "I just saw Gizmo! She's right by the shed. It's got to be her! Quick, come outside and see for yourself!" So I followed him outside, but the rabbits were long gone. My husband insisted he saw Gizmo, and gave me a play-by-play of the sighting. According to him, she is much bigger now, looked healthy, and seemed to enjoy eating the wildflowers growing under the big oaks by the shed. I couldn't help but notice the sad look in his eyes. I suggested he may want to leave some veggie scraps by the shed, to try to draw her out of hiding and encourage her to stick around. But my husband said no, that she was wild now, and should find her own food. The catch in his voice was unmistakable. Over a year later, and he still misses that rabbit.
This morning I was taking out a dirty AC filter to add to our trash collection when, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a couple of rabbits by the shed. Sure enough, when I got a closer look, I did see Gizmo (or maybe just one that looks like Gizmo). I stood still for a minute, just looking at her. There are few sights more peaceful than watching rabbits graze as the early morning sun rises over the oaks. Just before I went on my way, I spoke to her. "I hope you realize how much that man misses you. If it weren't for his high bid at the auction, you very well could have ended up in someone's stew pot, or been made into someone's winter coat. You could show more gratitude, you know."
The rabbits continued eating. They seemed to be unimpressed by my little speech.

I sighed. Another day had begun.

What No One Ever Tells You About Parenthood

1. I never thought I would be so happy to see someone poop (our daughter pooped for the first time while we were trying to give her a bath -- over a week after she was born).

2. Laundry is now a daily instead of a weekly chore. Who would've thought something so small could create so much mess?

3. Babies are psychic. They know when you are thinking about taking a nap, catching up on chores/paperwork or just taking a break. That's when they'll cry for no reason other than to keep you from doing anything constructive. Our daughter has become a master at this.

4. Meals become something to gulp down, rather than taste.

5. Everyone who volunteered to babysit/help before the baby was born disappears once the baby arrives.

6. People with no children are quick to tell you what you are doing wrong with your child. People with children are quick to tell you their baby horror stories. And everyone is quick to dismiss your feelings if you don't paint a rosy glowing picture of early parenthood.

7. You will never experience unconditional love like being up a 4 am with your newborn, convinced you will never sleep again, when your child looks at you, smiles, and grabs your finger. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, nothing else matters. She is all that is good and pure and worthwhile in the world. She is the reason you were born. She is wonderful, frustrating, delightful, and maddening. And you realize - she is yours, forever.