Unless you’re a close family member, you’ll never hear the stories of our children’s births through my wife’s eyes. She and they are mostly private. Perhaps that’s why my inanimate friends play such an important role in helping me share my stories while keeping my family out of the spotlight.
Yesterday, while my wife stayed home making final preparations for our daughter’s birthday, I drove to the children’s hospital to usher in The Adventures of Castaway Wilson—the Irish twin book to Live Long and Prosper. My time at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital turned into quite the adventure, especially since gaining entry is nearly impossible unless you’re visiting a specific patient or have an appointment.
All visitors are required to check in and receive a badge.
“Which patient are you visiting today?” the hospital employee asked.
“I’m not visiting any patients,” I replied. “I’m here to pray. I’d like to go to the meditation room.”
The employee seemed caught off guard but asked me to sign in.
I volunteered that my book was about to be born at any moment and that I needed to ask God for guidance. Then I added, “After my prayer time, I’d like to see the most important person in the building.”
After a long pause, the employee directed me to check in with the security guard across the walkway.
Noah, the security guard, did his best to keep an eye on me after he escorted me to the concierge desk. The employee he intended to hand me off to wasn’t there, so Monica stepped in.
“What’s your role here?” I asked.
“Billing,” she answered.
“Perfect,” I said, sensing from her body language that she was determined to make sure I got what I needed.
Meanwhile, Noah stood behind me, still debating whether it was time to escort me off the premises. I turned to him and said, “Our time together will be written about in my blog. Would it be okay to get your picture?”
“No pictures in the hospital, please,” Noah replied. “HIPAA rules.”
Monica wrote down the names and phone numbers of the people I needed to contact regarding the next step in my journey and handed me the paper.
“Are these folks in the building?” I asked.
“It’s a short drive away,” she answered.
“That won’t work right now. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to sit down and pray while I wait for the concierge to return.”
I took a seat and went into full prayer mode. Earlier that morning, I had hit the publish button for The Adventures of Castaway Wilson, and Amazon’s response stated it could take up to 72 hours to process. I closed my eyes and asked for Divine help.
Monica seemed nervous. “It might be a while before the concierge returns,” she said.
I walked over to her. “That’s okay—I have plenty of time.”
Noticing a chain around her neck, I asked, “Are you a person of faith?”
“Yes,” she answered.
“Are you wearing a cross?”
She pulled on her chain and revealed a medallion of the Virgin Mary.
I told her a story about my time in Ireland and asked if she knew about Our Lady of Knock. She had a vague recollection. I assured her it was the same Mary, Mother of Jesus. Then, I returned to my seat and closed my eyes one more time—praying that Wilson would be born while I was still in the hospital.
Moments later, the concierge arrived. He confirmed what Monica had told me and directed me offsite. Before I left, I checked my phone.
An email from Amazon.
“The Adventures of Castaway Wilson is now available.”
I smiled. “Looks like I won’t need to visit the meditation room after all,” I told them. “My book is born.”
I thanked them for their time and headed home to celebrate our daughter’s St. Patrick’s Day birthday. The rest of the day was devoted to family. It was a great day.
As for the children’s hospital—our time together is just getting started.
Stay tuned for the rest of the story. Have a great day.
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