6-Word Novels

I helped a client spirit away an unused, still-in-the-box crib to the local Salvation Army this weekend. They were expecting twins when I worked with them earlier this year, a boy and a girl.

John Lennon said, “life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.” Their daughter was still-born at 27 weeks. I'm reminded of the famous Ernest Hemingway 6-word novel: "For sale: baby shoes, never used."

I held their beautiful baby boy, tiny and warm and intoxicating to smell as only newborn babies are. I marveled at their grace. Her husband met me around the side of the garage and asked if I could help him get that last big physical reminder away from the house to help ease his wife's grief. Later, alone with his wife, she told me she was worried about him and wanted to make sure he was getting the exercise he needed. What a gift for me to work with such a loving, caring, supportive couple. What a remarkable boy they are sure to raise. And what an excruciating loss for two parents that loved their baby girl, and for the rest of us that might have had the chance to love her too.