Ribbons

Not much was going through my head during the short drive home from the hospital. When we turned on to our street, however, I instantly started sobbing. This was not how it was supposed to go. This was not at all how I wanted to return home. I didn't want to be without my baby girl.

After getting settled, Mike left for the drugstore to pick up some of my medication. While he was gone, my parents stopped by with food. I could finally eat turkey sandwiches again and my mom made the best; in fact, turkey sandwiches had become my "first meal" following all 3 births. When Mike returned home, he thanked my parents for tying the pretty yellow ribbon on our tree. They responded with a look of confusion which was a very obvious "not us".

After my parents left, my daughter noticed there were several packages left on our doorstep. As I helped her bring them inside, I noticed there wasn't a yellow ribbon tied on just our tree - there were yellow ribbons tied on all of our neighbor's trees. Tears filled my eyes. I didn't know what to think or how to react. All I know is how blessed we felt by this gesture. Even after several weeks, I tear up every time I drive down our street and see the line of trees with yellow ribbons tied on them.