Sound Response

I couldn’t wait.
I was going to take care of a four-month-old little girl for the afternoon.
Her mother is a dear friend of my daughter.
She and her husband also have two sons.

This young mother came here because she is a bridesmaid for my daughter’s June wedding.
This particular day she came for the Bachelorette party.
It was not at all like the quintessential Bachelorette.
It was the most clever idea; the mastermind of my oldest daughter, one of the maids of honor.

It isn’t that my daughter could not decide who to choose for maid of honor.
It is simply that her fiancee has twin brothers.
Both of his brothers will be his best men.
Both of her sisters will be her maids of honor.

I remember the day my oldest daughter called me with her idea.
She spoke quickly, highlighting all the major points since it was her lunch hour.
Well, what do you think? She asked almost breathless when she was through.
It couldn’t be more perfect. She will absolutely love it, I said and I meant it.

My daughter loves the movie, You’ve Got Mail.
She and one of her other bridesmaids can quote every line.
My oldest daughter wanted to see if it was possible to rent a movie theater.
We have a new Movie Tavern near us and she thought it was worth a try.

She called them and it is indeed possible.
Prices were discussed.
Logistics were laid out and tentatively set in place.
The date was held.

Since my youngest daughter is in college, she did some of the creative work behind the scenes.
The bridesmaids and some special friends were invited to the “premier.”
They arrived early to set up the red carpet outside the theater.
There was a backdrop and balloons and even photo booth props for the “paparazzi.”

My youngest daughter came up with the idea of giving the bride-to-be an Oscar.
In reality, it was a bride wedding cake topper spray painted with gold glitter paint.
My oldest daughter, who is a web designer, created the movie marquee.
She framed an actual movie poster, added their names, the location, and the date of the premier.

She blindfolded her sister and drove her to the theater.
When they arrived, everyone else was waiting.
The “paparazzi” captured the moment.
Pictures were taken at the special screening, making the day a wonderful memory for her.

When they were seated in their own private theater they ordered their dinner.
Then the lights dimmed.
Unbeknownst to the bride-to-be, a special preview would be seen first.
My oldest daughter filmed a short movie interviewing the future groom.

The short film included the place of their first date and other places that are special to them.
On film, the future groom answered questions that were asked of him about their relationship.
It was going to be a special moment and keepsake for the bride.
My oldest daughter made sure the theater had the actual movie in Blue Ray and her film as well.

Everything was set.
The lights dimmed.
The short film appeared on the screen.
There was no sound.

The movie played but nothing could be heard.
A manager was assigned to the private party.
My daughter stood up and told them to stop the film.
She didn’t want it to be seen and not heard.

The manager, who was on a radio with people in the projection room, hurried to the back.
She talked into her radio all the way.
Even though they had tested everything before hand, for some reason the sound failed.
In a few minutes, they fixed the problem and the film began again.

It meant so much to her sister.
She was very touched at the amount of work that went into planning this special event.
To my oldest daughter, not having sound was a disappointment to her.
For her, it seemed to be anticlimactic when it played successfully the second time.

I heard all of this when they all came back to our house for dessert.
I had the precious little four-month-old all afternoon so her mother could enjoy a day out.
My husband asked me a question before the precious little one arrived.
Do you think you will remember how to do this?

I searched his face; he was serious.
I mean it has been twenty years, he said referring to the age of our youngest daughter.
I am sure my look somehow conveyed how I felt about his question.
That question should never be asked of a seasoned mom.

I told the mother of the little girl what my husband had said when she arrived.
She laughed.
We mothers know that you don’t forget.
Even the Mommy Rock is still present whenever you have a baby in your arms.

The young mother had a long drive to get here and needed to leave for the theater.
I was put on duty immediately to my great pleasure.
I fed this precious little girl and we “talked” together.
A four-month-old tries so hard to respond to you when you talk to them.

Her smile and laugh were music to my ears.
She enjoyed some of our baby toys as she was on the blanket on the floor.
She was tired and began rubbing her eyes so I put her down for a nap.
The pack and play was set up in my husband’s office.

I heard her scratching the sheets with her little fingernails as she got comfortable.
I heard the little sounds that I remember so well as she began to fall asleep.
She woke up and cried for just a minute.
It was the whimper before the hunger cry that is not satisfied until the baby is fed.

I did remember.
All of the sounds flooded back.
Twenty years and the sounds were firmly embedded in my memory.
I was able to respond appropriately to the cries of another baby that was not my own.

Sounds mean so much.
The lack of sound was a problem for the special film my daughter produced.
The sounds from my memory brought back years of mothering in an instant.
We don’t realize how much sounds influence us.

We respond to sound.
We respond to a baby’s cry.
We respond when we are unable to hear sounds that we should hear.
There are sounds all around us that demand a response.

He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice. (John 10:3-5)

We respond to the sound of our Shepherd’s voice.
Some people are unable to hear Him.
Our sound problem needs to be fixed.
Open your ear lids to hear the sweet song. (Michael Card)

We are created to respond to the call of our Lord.
Sin has closed our ear lids.
Only repentance and forgiveness can open them again.
Do you hear Him?

 

2 responses to “Sound Response”

1. You are in such exciting days right now. I know that you would have loved to be at the gathering for Claire, but isn’t it amazing how we find ourselves in a different role when this stage of our lives comes around? The bachelorette Party sounds like so much creativity and joy wrapped up in the love that your daughters have for each other, but watching over a little one is also such a great opportunity, too. And no! We don’t forget how to do the baby thing. Just reading about your time with the little one gave me warm fuzzies. The wonderful thing, Gina, is that the relationship you have with this mother made it possible for her to come, leave the baby and run and not worry one smidge that you wouldn’t do it “right’ or wouldn’t know what to do. You’ve proven yourself trustworthy in so many ways to your children and their friends, and what that is no small accomplishment. It affords you opportunities for ongoing Kingdom Building, as you continue to provide input and support and love to those you’ve invested in over the years. Blessings to you in these crazy, hectic, wonderful days. I think of you often, and remember that when this summer is over and things settle down, we are going to get together. (At least I hope so!)

   Reply

   • Mary Ann,
     What a precious comment. Thank you for your words of encouragement. As God allows, I will minister to those He brings through my door. So much life happens in the four walls of a home. Yes, sweet friend, I want to get together over that cup of tea we have talked about many times. Many blessings to you!
     Gina

     Reply