Do you have happy childhood memories? Last week I shared about listening to God and my challenge to help make more people have happy childhood memories.
This concept relates strangely to several aspects of my life at the moment, some stranger than others. Let’s just say that the other night I said, “I hope pizza is good for ears.”
If you don’t get my drift, keep reading.
Writing for Happy Childhood Memories
A few weeks ago my aunt and I ate lunch at Panera, as we do occasionally.
“I know what,” she said, “You should write your Terry, Larry, and Gary stories that you used to tell in your childhood.”
Talk about being a far cry from the genre I have been writing!
Still, I went home, gathered up the shreds of my memory, and began writing. Oddly enough, although I remember little of the stories I told back then, the personalities of the boys came back quickly.
At our family gathering the other week, I shared my new mission to help make happy childhood memories.
“Even though we don’t have children,” I said, “I’ve noticed all these ways that I can contribute to more people having happy childhood memories.”
My brother pointed out that the Sugar Creek Gang was a component of his vicarious childhood memories, in much the same way as my new adventure series could be for others.
Also, I think I failed to mention my nausea on the way to the family gathering. Driving through hills like those in southern Wisconsin typically nauseates me. I felt a bit off even before we got to the hills.
“You’re probably pregnant,” my one sister said.
“Ridiculous,” I said. “I couldn’t possibly be having symptoms yet.”
Besides, a fertility specialist told us that our odds of natural conception were dismal.
And Then, Things Get Even Stranger
Well, fast forward to a week later, Friday, August 21. I’m wandering around Walgreens, unable to find what I’m looking for.
First, let me say that the night before I realized that for several days I had an awful taste in my mouth. To see if I was dying of cancer, I googled “bad taste in mouth” or something like that. One of the potential causes of an unpleasant taste in one’s mouth was early stages of pregnancy.
So the next morning, I’m at Walgreens.
“Are you finding everything okay?” the grandfatherly type Walgreens employee asked.
I might have told him I was fine, but the only other employee in the store was a younger, over-friendly male. So I went with the honest approach.
“I’m looking for a pregnancy test,” I said.
“Right this way,” he said. “Best to do them in the morning,” he added conversationally.
“Right,” I said, “I already have a faint positive test at home, but the test is expired so I thought I should try another one.”
Then I took it up to the counter and paid the over-friendly younger male. He wished me a good day as if he thought I definitely might need encouragement.
Well, you guessed it. A faint positive is a positive. Even if it’s expired, apparently. And I have to say, you know you are in for an interesting pregnancy when the first person you chat with is an old man at Walgreens!
Announcements
So, not only am I working on an adventure series for children, we will soon create happy childhood memories in our own house if things proceed well. We share our news, knowing that anything could happen at this early stage. But many people knew the fertility specialist gave us dismal odds for getting pregnant. We thought you might be interested to know what has happened!
Oh, the pizza thing? Well, the pregnancy emails I get to update me told me one day that “Miracle” (Marnell’s nickname) was likely developing ears. I had been craving pizza non-stop; hence my comment that I hope pizza is good for ears!
If anyone out there has had a first child at age 38 or older, I would love to hear from you! (Note: FIRST child. I know many people who have had children at that age, but few who had their first child then. Clearly, I’m destined to live life out of the box.)
Okay, next week comes after a holiday, so I am giving myself the liberty to skip posting a blog if I want to or if I’m too busy vomiting. Most likely I’ll send a brief update. Have a great holiday weekend!
44 thoughts on “The Childhood Memories Idea And A Sudden Plot Twist”
Congratulations Marnell and Katrina,
You will join the rest of us who were not young parents, but parents of young children.
I always felt God was being good to me in my ‘old’ age by making every contraction make progress so none of my labors were more than 3 1/2 hours long (the last was just 4 contractions 15 minutes apart). Our God knows exactly what we need and surrounds us daily with His unchanging love.
Linda
Thanks Linda! That’s great!
Awe Katrina! This such special news💕💕💕💕 I have never struggled w infertility but someone I love has indeed walked this path. May God keep you…and this precious life inside you! Twins seem to turn up in your family don’t they!? Oh the thoughts that pregnancy brings!
Yayyyy! Praise The Lord on your baby news! Happy for y’all!!🙌🏼💕
Congratulations! What a lovely surprise. 🙂
What delightful surprise news here! Congratulations– and prayers that things keep progressing smoothly!
Oh, this is wonderful news indeed. Congratulations! Here’s hoping that things go well for all of you.
Oh this is exciting! Thanks for sharing your news with us. I will pray for you as I think about it and I hope all goes well. 🙂
Two of my sisters had their first at 38 or 39!
Congratulations!!! 😊😊
Hi, Katrina,
I’m so happy for you all! Blessings to you. I was 37.5, 39, and nearly 41 when our children were born. It’s been good, went well, and I was always home 8-14 hours of the births (one clinic/hospital, two clinic, all good experiences).
An added benefit if you’re an introvert… Everybody will say, “Oh how’s little Miracle today?” or whatever, and totally ignore you at least some of the time. You get to just be the baby’s prop. I’m sure you’ll be a great mom. Oh, and just ask your siblings for your baby names and you’ll save yourself some thinking time. 🙂
Get some exercise along the way but don’t apologize for napping!
Congratulations!!! Enjoy the journey! 😊 Our first was a preemie, so I was 2 days shy of 36 when she was born. Due to the early delivery and my “advanced maternal age”, I’m considered high risk. However, we’ve had two more full term babies since at age 37 & 38 (6 days shy of 39) 😊 I say they help to keep me young! 😊
Congratulations Marnell and Katrina, what a precious gift you have been given!! We hope and pray that all may go well! Take care and indeed REST. 😊
With one of my pregnancies I also craved pizza 🍕
Fascinating to hear of someone else like me😀
Congratulations!
Hi Katrina,
Hi Katrina,
I have never met you but came across your blog. Congratulations on your news! I’m 35 and we were also told by my doctor i may not be able to conceive naturally. Three weeks after my diagnosis, we found out I was pregnant. I am now almost 12 weeks along. God is definitely a miracle worker! Blessings to you!
How fun, Rachel! Blessings to you in your pregnancy. That timing is amazing!
Wow, so excited for you. And thank you for your updates and hard writing work. You make it sound so easy to write, and sometimes it is. But a series is a commitment. God bless you in your plots and plot twists!
Yes, Dorothy, you’re right! Thanks for the encouragement!
Congratulations! Awesome news!
I had my first natural delivery at age 39, after six C-sections. It was not a picnic but well worth the effort. Then was blessed to have two more after which were much easier
Wow, you sound like a hero! Good for you!
I’m so excited for you and Marnell❤
My mom had her first baby at 35 and had 5 healthy children. Her last at 45. Just to encourage you. We will pray for a healthy mom and baby😘🙏
Good to hear, Senia. Thanks!
I’ve been following along on your blog for awhile, though I don’t know you personally. I am very excited for you and hope everything goes smoothly!
Yay ! Congratulations to you both !
My sister had her first and only at age 42, and my mom had me at 36. Her youngest of 4 children.
You’ll be fine, I’d suggest rest when you need it snd it healthy 🤗
Hurray for your sister! It’s good to hear other stories like mine. They help me feel a little younger!
Congratulations! Our youngest son (37) and his wife are expecting their first child after 9 years of marriage. However, their child is a snowflake baby conceived by embryo adoption. It was a miraculeous answer to prayer as the success rate is 40%. The first attempt was successful and the baby is due in 19 days. Their chances of natural conception were 0.
That’s wonderful, Romaine! Happy grandmothering!
Congratulations! I am so happy for you both!
Thanks Carol!
Oh I’m so excited!! I will pray for you lots in all this..God is good ALL the time!! Hugs.. Janien
Thanks Janien!
Congratulations and I will be praying for you.. I’m so excited!😊
I had my first and only child less then a month before my 37th birthday!! She was a “miracle” child as well! I hope everything goes well for you!!
Thanks!
Not at 38. But at 37 and 39 and 40 and 42! First one was a preemie, so I was considered high risk for all the rest of my pregnancies. But you know what? God writes our stories, He knows the end fromthe beginning and we can rest and embrace each experience. Being an “old mom” has both advantages and disadvantages. It can be a bit lonely.
I was also 38 when I had our daughter. I am now 40 and she just turned 2. Congrats and welcome to the club! 😊 I don’t really know you but I think I could enjoy swapping stories with you as it seems we have a lot in common. Nursing, older when we got married, first children at 38, and that Hoover name! 😉
Thanks for writing Mari! Yes, that is a lot in common! It would be fun to chat.
Okay, that counts! Wow. Sounds like you were very busy for awhile! I love the reminder that God writes our stories, allowing us to rest. Thanks for sharing!
I am 42 n pregnant for the first time! We adopted 2 children and in May we got a foster baby! It was was quite a surprise n made headlines 🙂I would have been pregnant before baby came but I’d know it ! So I try not to think too far on ahead as I am due in January n baby boy will be 8 month old til we have our baby…
Enjoyed reading about ur surprise! Wishing you the best!!
Wow! And you sound busy too. I hope these replies don’t get too scrambled. May God give you a ton of grace for caring for two babies!
I don’t know you personally but have enjoyed reading here your living out your faith right where you are. And this news is just so exciting! Isn’t it interesting how he rewards our faith often in areas where we had almost none. Blessings as you grow in faith and with child.
Yahhhhh! I am so excited for y’all!