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“Mirium, it’s my job.”
“Can’t you let someone else do it? Please, Norm? Tell them I’m about to deliver.”
“You’re not.”
“I could be, Norm. After what the world has seen today, Norm, my stomach’s in knots. My uterus is balling up.”
“Honey, it’s been doing that for two weeks now. If it gets regular, I’ll come home. Just call.”
“Oh, Norm… Can’t you call in sick? I need you. I really do. I want to touch you. I want to hold on to you. I want to cry on your shoulder. Can’t you understand that? I need you….”
“Oh, baby, I know. Don’t you think I’d love nothing better than to stroke your hair and to tell you everything’s going to be all right? But, Mirium, I’m needed down at ground zero. It’s my job.”
“Norm, tell them you’re sick. I’m desperate.”
“No, Mirium. I can’t. You know that. I’m not sick and I won’t say that I am.”
“But you’ve told me that the others have called in sick lots of times. It’s eleven at night. Don’t make me go to sleep without you…after a day like this!”
“Yes, but you remember me telling you that I wasn’t going to do that? I can’t. As a Christian, I refuse to do that. It’s not God honoring. Besides, let me tell you, all the guys have come down to help. Everyone’s going above and beyond in this effort. With all the guys from the other units who gave their lives, how can we do any less?”
“Norm, there have been times I’ve wished you weren't a fire-fighter, but never as much as now. Fire-fighting was bad enough, but this is more. Much more.”
“Yeah, I know, hon. The rules of engagement have changed. My job is morphing right in front of my eyes. After today I feel like a soldier.”
“It’s so awful, Norm. My eyes ache from all the tears. When will you come home?”
“We’re working round the clock, Mirium, in hopes that we’ll find some of our brothers alive. Please understand, baby. I have to do this. I love you with every fiber of my being but I have to do this.”
“Oh, Norm, I just want to go away to some faraway island with our baby and live the rest of our lives far away from this ugly world.”
“Yeah, I know. Mirium? You know what I was just thinking before you called?”
“What?”
“Remember when we went snorkeling in Hawaii on our honeymoon?”
“Yeah?”
“Well, in the midst of this chaos, the ash, the horrendous smell, the people who look like walking dead, I had a thought. I wanted to be under the clear warm water with the colorful fish. I want to float there, in the serene peace of the ocean, just feeling the motions of the waves, hearing nothing.”
“Why did God let this happen?”
“I don’t know, Mirium. I wish I did. But think of this: if God wasn’t involved in our lives….if he withdrew his presence from us, every day would be like this.”
“What possible good can come of this, Norm?”
“You give me far too much credit, hon. God is God and I am not. That having been said, knowing him like I do, I bet he puts it to good use. He wastes nothing. Now, here’s what I want you to do.”
“What?”
“Do exactly as I say.”
“Yes?”
“Go lay on the couch.”
“I already am.”
“Good. Now, reach up your free hand and stroke your head slowly and lovingly for me.”
“Okay.”
“Now, listen to what I have to say. Mirium, God loves you. He is watching over you. He is protecting you and taking care of you. God, would you please take my precious Mirium in your arms and rock her to sleep tonight? Erase all thoughts of today from her mind. Remove all of the television noise, all of the sirens, alarms, and anything else that interferes with her sleep, because the love of my life has some important work to do growing my baby to be healthy and strong.”
“Hmmmm……….that’s so sweet. Norm, I love you. Thanks.”
“That’s what I do, babe. I put out fires! Now, get to sleep, my little muggins! Remember, joy comes in the morning!”
..and, indeed, she did.
Born September 12, 2001, 10:46AM
Weighing 8 pounds 14 ounces
Joy Elise Belder
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