When I was a news anchor, I remember thinking it was slightly odd when my co-anchor (who was a mom of two) got choked up reading about and watching video of tragic stories involving children, since she didn't know the victims personally. As a single guy with no children, I'd give her a funny look while we were off camera, our mics were off and the package/story ran. Wiping away tears, she simply said, 'Wait until you have children of your own - then you'll understand.'
Six years later, I think I get it now. Basically what she meant was that once you have a baby of your own, you automatically feel a kinship with other parents and share their pain when something bad happens to their babies. And as much as you try to avoid picturing your own kid in such stories, you can't help but see their angelic faces when you hear horrible stories involving children.
The same connection is true for happy moments, too. How else to explain why I got so emotional tonight watching 'Mario Lopez: Saved By the Baby' on VH1? In this particular episode, Mario's wife gave birth to their baby at the hospital, and the scene brought me back to what happened three weeks ago in my own life: wearing the clear scrubs and shower cap-looking thing on my head, having a baby girl come via C-section and feeling pure joy once I met my daughter for the first time. It's almost comical to think about hours later, but I nearly cried thinking about Kailyn's birth while watching AC Slater and his wife in a delivery room on TV.
So Kerri, you were right that I would understand someday how you felt. It took a few years but that day is here. Now please pass the tissues - I think a Hallmark card commercial is about to come on.
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