Come on, Suzy!

More than once this has happened: a perfect stranger is standing on the other side of an aisle when all of a sudden they see this huge belly emerge like a slow sideways sunrise, and they stand amazed until Suzy finally turns the corner. Then they say, remember these are perfect stangers, "Whoa, I just didn't know if that belly was ever going to end."

Actually, one of the coolest things about Suzy's pregnancy is how wonderful people have been--all people--chivalry is not dead, I can tell you. With only rare (and often hilarious) exceptions, like a twelve year old girl at the swimming pool loudly telling her dad, "That woman doesn't know what she's getting into" (--man, I can't wait until I am being admonished by teenage triplets!)--with rare exceptions, as I was saying, people have been as amazing as amazed, pleased--elated even, and deferential--generous or supporting in almost all cases.

Just minutes ago, for one example, Suzy was waiting for me outside the bank, and some hippy guy talked with her, asked if he could touch her belly, and then prayed with his hand on her belly that much love and peace come to our children. Yes, it's incredible, what she elicits--she is the symbol, it seems, of tha which binds all of us; and I can tell you these three babies are coming into a world of great love--of the greatest capacity for love. I know CNN would inform you otherwise, but don't let it drown out these anecdotes. I have seen old guys--grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight--I have seen them step back and open the door so Suzy could, relatively speaking, just skip on through.

In fact, Suzy and I went to a Rockies baseball game a few weeks ago and when we were leaving (--leaving early because we both don't really like baseball), ten thousand heads turned in unison and watched her leave (--probably because no one really likes baseball anyway). It was awesome. It was as though she were some superhero or something--some glowing extraterrestrial--"Ladies and Gentlemen, Elvis is leaving the building." I know, that's not necessarily an example of kindness (--baseball fans need distractions)--but for most of those heads, I suspect it was. I felt like Wordsworth coming across a host of golden doffodils: "A poet could not but be gay in such jocund company." What a ride it has already been!

Well, here's the latest pictures of Suzy, including two of her on her back. She's not quite as tall lying down as she is standing up, but she is in all ways beautiful--what sunrise can compare to that?!

Anyway, Suzy's slowing down considerably. She is not on bed rest, but she aint moving that much either. Now and again, I try to give her a little help getting up, pushing or pulling. A week ago, in fact, I almost pushed her over--oops!--I just thought she needed a little extra help. I mean, she asked for it, which she usually doesn't do, and there, always, is that incredible belly--so I pushed--yea, pushed her to a standing position, and apparently almost right on over it, onto the hard wood floor. See? Kindness everywhere--except in those she most depends on...

Well, we keep a pretty tight circle--with an occasional visit to her mom down the way. Two weeks from tomorrow, this whole thing goes down. Keep your fingers crossed for us...