Thank You, Stranger!

Below is a letter I wrote when I was a new mom:

Next month, my little Matthew will celebrate his first birthday. I will confess that I never dreamed of becoming a mom, and when I learned I was pregnant, I was struck with panic. But little did I know, all the help that my husband and I would receive along the way.

On behalf of all moms and dads, I would like to say “Thank You” to everyone that has contributed in some way to our happiness as parents. I may not have thanked you along the way, so I would like to thank you now.

I would like to thank my family, my friends, other moms, and authors of pregnancy and parenting books for all of the solid advice. Your advice brought me comfort and peace of mind. You reassured me that I can do this…I can be a great mom. It turns out that you were all right, and I hope you will continue to share your advice and write books to help other future moms.

To all of the health care workers, including the obstetricians, maternity ward nurses, NICU nurses, pediatrician, cord blood storage companies, and lactation consultants, I would like to thank you for the great care that you gave to me and Matthew. Throughout all of our visits, you answered our questions and made us feel as though we were your only patients. You monitored our progress very closely, and as a result, despite being premature, Matthew is a very healthy baby.

My employer was equally wonderful. They never hesitated to give me the time off I needed for my doctor visits. When Matthew was born, I received numerous packages and well wishes from my co-workers. And when I took advantage of the FMLA benefits by taking 12 weeks off of work, my company was supportive. When I returned to work, I was still nursing, but my office was equipped with an area for my lactation needs. What a relief!

During my pregnancy and Matthew’s first year, we have used countless products that have made our lives easier and safer. Fashionable maternity clothes, lightweight strollers, safety cotton swabs, disposable diapers, baby swings, double-breast pumps that come in fashionable backpacks. This is a very short list of the many things that have helped us. And just when you think everything has been invented, something new is introduced. So to all who have invented these products…thank you. And keep inventing!

I would like to thank the many stores and restaurants that make it easy for us to enjoy an outing as a family. Parking for expectant moms, family restrooms equipped with a diaper changing area, high chairs, crayons, children’s meals, and play areas, are great features and enough to keep us coming back again and again.

Many, many thanks to all the strangers that have helped us along the way. We want to thank: the flight attendant who let me sit next to the lavatory for my frequent visits while pregnant, the gentleman who helped with my suitcases on that same trip, the man who ran to his car in the rain to lend me and Matthew an umbrella. And thank you to: the people who hold the door open when they see us coming with our stroller, the moms who smile when they see my baby, and the kids who want to play with Matthew. Thank you all so much.

Since Matthew is only one year old, we have years ahead that will undoubtedly produce many, many more people to thank. To the babysitters, school bus drivers, police officers, playground monitors, and every other person who will help me to keep my son safe from harm, I thank you in advance. To the school nurse, pediatrician, and food companies, I thank you in advance for helping me to keep him healthy. To his teachers, little league coach, mentors, and his future friends, I thank you in advance for giving my child the tools and the skills he needs to realize his dreams. And to every other person who will touch my son’s life, even in the smallest way, I thank you for you will all shape his life.

Thank You, Stranger!
-Barbara-