Twins!

            In the fall of 1988 I was worried that I’d had a miscarriage after an unexplained rush of fluid in my pants. It was a worrisome day and a half before I could get to a hospital. 18-month-old Anna came with me and sat on the exam table while an ultrasound tech swept his monitor over my gel-coated belly, watching his screen. He looked, shook his head slowly, and my stomach plummeted in despair. I read “miscarriage” on his face.
            “You have twins,” he said.
            There are few speechless moments in my life. That was one. Speechlessness quickly gave way to elation. Anna and I brought the ultrasound photos to Jonathan’s work. I’d phoned him, “everything’s okay,” and asked if he’d like to see the pictures. I watched as he looked over the strip of paper – a baby in one frame, a baby in another frame, then two heads in the third. As the truth dawned on him, his face exploded into wonder, excitement, amazed laughter. We might have even shared tears.
            Happy 31st birthday Nellie and Sam! Our joy hasn’t decreased one smidge.
 
My 60th year in 60,000 words
Day 185: 184 words, TOTAL = 30,385; 29,615 remaining