Steven Rogers

My Little Red Car ~ How I Came To Meet Tristen



Posted: Friday, December 18, 2009

by Steven Rogers

March 6, 1999 started out early in the morning. I was up before the sun that morning. This in itself was a great accomplishment for me as I was the general manager of the local Pizza Hut at the time. Used to getting off work at the wee hours of the morning, 5AM felt like the middle of the night to me. Today, I was wide-awake. My wife and I got dressed in the dark, grabbed the small bag from the dinning room table, and quietly left our small two-bedroom apartment. We excitedly got into our little red car and left the parking lot. I was driving. I was so nervous that I wanted nothing more than to speed down the road as fast as our little red car would go.

I tried hard not to show how nervous I was. I knew that I had to be strong. I was 20 years old and my life was heading down the road faster than our little red car would ever go. We headed across town to the hospital where my wife had pre registered earlier that week. We arrived and parked where we were directed. Then we went inside and followed all the instructions that we had been given. My mother was there in the room, which seemed to be spinning with activity. My whole world was turning upside down and I couldn't breathe. I had to be tough. It was my job to be in control. Everything was out of control. I needed to get away for just a second. So I make my excuses and run down the hall, out the door, and lock myself in my little red car.

Finally, there is room to breathe. I start my little red car and head to Burger King. I grab some coffee and breakfast then go back to the hospital. I am calm now but it is all just a mask. It is all just a paper-thin disguise holding back the terror of what I know will be the single biggest life changing moment of my life. I round the corner to the room where my wife is supposed to be but my mother dressed in blue surgical clothes greets me. Oh My God!!! It's time.

I put down the food in my hands and grab my own surgical clothes. I slip on the gown and hat. I put little covers over my shoes and before I put on my blue mask I go to the restroom lock the door and kneel down in front of the toilet and pray, "Please God, help me." I go in to the room with my mother. There is my wife lying on the table. She is open from left to right and is shivering. Everything is a blur. I see lots of tools and hear them speak but can't quite make out what there saying. Then it's over. They pull out my daughter. She is covered with blood and all kinds of other mess. They hold her up just long enough for me to see how tiny. Then they wisp her away to the corner. I can hear her cry. That is my baby! I want to be with her. Then I get my turn. They call me over and introduce me to Tristen, the most perfect creature I have ever seen, for the first time. They put her in my arms and I don't have a clue what to do. I am overcome. I can't speak because my words would ruin the moment. I can feel myself ready to burst inside from fear, happiness, worry, doubt, but most of all joy and pride.

This is the crowning achievement of my life. Nothing has ever felt this way. Everything up to this point in my life has been building to this and nothing else matters. This child, my child is my new life and it is bigger than the old life that ended just a few minutes ago. I just hope she can fit into my little red car.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by Marijo Phelps
 2 years 129 days ago.
141 fans.
Ahhh, what a wonderful story and tribute to that little gal - how old is she now? Marijo
» left by Steven Rogers 2 years 127 days ago.
20 fans.
I can't believe it but she is ten already!!!! she is great and I couldn't ask for a more perfect little girl.
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