18 September, 2011

The moment it clicked

At 1:07am on the evening of September 18th, 2006; Jennifer's water broke and we headed to the hospital. At 4:02am, Isabella was born. She was a "breath holder" and it was decided that she should be taken away to be monitored. I was allowed to go with her, while Jennifer who had had a C Section, rested. Isabella was placed in a clear plastic shell with a heart rate monitor on her right fore finger and a heat lamp above. I stood, leaning over as she held tightly with her left hand my right fore finger. She and I stared at each other for several hours that morning and I promised her the moon and told her all about myself. At one point the nurse told me I should sit down and offered me some coffee, I declined and stayed until they allowed us to leave together. Around 8am we went to the room Jennifer had been moved to and I handed Isabella to Jennifer. I then grabbed my Nikon Coolpix point and shoot camera, stood on top of the bed and took this photograph.
I get asked all the time, why did you leave design? A question I've answered in many ways over the years, mostly by jokingly saying that I had a mid life crisis and have you seen my convertible (showing off my camera equipment bag)...
Well truth be told, I can't honestly tell you what it was specifically but I do know that standing on top of the bed that morning, taking that picture, well something clicked in me and I have been all the better for it.
Warm Regards,
Michael J. Lee