Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Just a Little Snip

I once got a tearful call from a friend who was heartbroken over the fact that her husband had scheduled a vasectomy without discussing it with her. She was grateful for their two children, but always thought there would be more. I was shocked that the husband would make that decision without benefit of her blessing. When I suggested that perhaps he would postpone the procedure if she shared her broken heart with him, she replied that if getting snipped would make him happy, so be it. My response of what about her being happy fell on those proverbial deaf ears.

Later, I listened as another friend announced her husband would get a vasectomy - or else. Her husband was the one in this case hoping to add one more child to the family, but for the sake of peace, the appointment was made and kept.

And because all things here come back to me, I was thinking about the, "How many kids shall we have?" discussions Checkered and I had. We liked the number three. But after our second baby was born, I had a miscarriage and decided that two babies were enough. But Checkered really wanted three. And although I could have lived happily with two, we had that third one. And he is such an enrichment to our family.

I do wonder what would have happened in my friends' lives had the "We're done!" spouse been willing to have one more.

Of course, we ended up with a bonus #4 baby. And the day that baby was born, Checkered and I both knew: it was time to make the appointment.

Life surely is a fun ride, isn't it?

P.S. Not that the topic of family planning made me think of her, but http://noenoegirl.blogspot.com/ is the new Heloise. Her little salt trick helped my frying pan! I was going to drive down to Virginia and give her a thank-you hug, but then Google maps said it would be an 11 hour drive. A virtual hug will have to do. Then again, I am on spring break this week...

P.P.S. What I made was a variation of PW's Pan-Fried Ribeye. I suspect it turned out better in Oklahoma.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

You should drive down here!!! I live not too far from Noe and we have TONS of Sonics!

I will get you a cast iron pan for Christmas!

Jeannelle said...

Good to know about the salt remedy!! Will I remember it when needed remains to be seen.

When I was pregnant with our 4th child, my husband developed double hernias which required surgery. Unbeknownst to me, he asked the surgeon beforehand if a snipping could be done at the same time. Certainly, my husband informed me about it before the surgery, but his mind was made up about the whole deal. I couldn't have talked him out of it if I'd wanted to.

Busy Bee Suz said...

to snip or not to snip...that is the question. I think when couples don't agree on this issue...someone will always be hurt.
We decided to stop at 2, with out the snippage part.
Now at 41....I do wish I had one more. I know that ship has sailed...we are planning our retirement now!! But I suppose if GOD had wanted me bring another blessing to life he would have made holy condoms. TMI?????
nahhh.
Glad to hear the salt worked out. Yeah for smart chicks.

Mental P Mama said...

I love the stories of family planning, and then how those plans change;) What a blessing every baby is...

Unknown said...

Every new life is a "Gift from God"...apparently some people do not want any more presents! THEIR LOSS! AND it MAY be for the BEST! That "GIFT" will be bestowed to someone else!

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

I wish I had four kids but I am blessed just to have Little T.
Glad the salt trick worked out. 11 hours is not that far! Bring the kids!
Love U

Decadent Housewife said...

After #1, mine were all surprises something they haven't stopped doing.

Laura ~Peach~ said...

Mike got the snip snip when martha was 5... I would love more kids providing I dont have to carry them in my body... I stayed so ill with martha that it stopped my idea of having a ball team.
Will have to be content with grand kids now...

Anonymous said...

Vasectomy is a decision that BOTH partners ought to make - together!

Betty said...

I wish we had more kids, but it was something I could not go through again (pregnancy itch, and high blood pressure). So now we thank the Lord for our two beautiful daughters and hope that we will "add" some "sons" someday! :) I agree that it should be a decision both should make, how many kids you have!