almost to the
minute.
i wanted to use this
post to
tell a story
that should illustrate
just
how perfect
things were
by discussing the one time
things were not
perfect.
the one time
(seriously…the one time)
liz got really,
really
pissed at me
was when i bought a
off a guy
on the streets of india.
that was it.
a robot.
i remember
the moment
so vividly.
i was at
a festival in
bangalore
she was
in a pharmacy in los angeles.
when i told her about
my treasure
(and how much it cost me – $400).
she was seriously mad.
(she was a couple of months pregnant and we were supposed to be saving up for baby).
and she said to me
(loud enough for others to hear),
“i can’t believe you bought a fucking robot!”
and then she
continued to
read me the riot act.
i listened carefully.
when she
finished
(it must have been 15-20 mins),
i pointed out to her
how ridiculous
that one sentence must have sounded
to the people
in the pharmacy.
can you imagine
what the hell
they were thinking?
despite her anger,
we both laughed our
asses off.
just that thought…
that over
12 years
of life
together,
our biggest disagreement
was over a
robot,
makes me smile.
24 Comments
Matt, I smiled when I read that. I have been following your blog the past few days; I live in MN and found out your story from the CribSheet blog posting as well. I love the fact that your biggest fight was over a fortune-telling robot. You are right, that’s hilarious! Thanks for the smile in the midst of your pain. Your daughter is beautiful!
Matt – I’m siding with Liz on this one. $400 on a robot???
Doesn’t surprise me though that it took all of a matter of minutes for you both to be laughing again.
Think about all of you often – Liz was so special. Praying that someday this will all make sense. Doesn’t feel like it right now.
Madeline is getting more beautiful by the day. This could be dangerous. Keep up the postings. We all love to check in!
Another Mpls Cribsheet reader… your wife must have been a much better person than I. If my husband had dared to try to laugh at that point, I think I would have had another 20 minute riot act to read! Your daughter is a strikingly beautiful baby. Just from photos, Liz conveys a light that is rare. Thanks for sharing your story with the Mpls community. You have a lot of “strangers” pulling for you.
Dear Matt and Madeline –
You don’t know me, but I feel like I know you. My best friend Mari arranged for the now famous mani and pedi during Liz’s bedrest. She’s really great at stuff like that. From the moment Mari told me what happened, I’ve been carrying the two of you around in my pocket, holding you close in my thoughts and sending you quiet strength and peace.
If a total stranger has been struggling to make sense out of the last three weeks of your life, I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to be living it. I suppose 23 pounds says a lot. I feel like I want to do something for you, but I don’t know what. Can I adopt the two of you? Our house is a bit chaotic with a 6 month old, 3 year old, and 14 year old (oh man, just wait ’til you get THERE), but we’d find room. The best I can think right now is to keep sending my thoughts and pop in from time to time to see how big Madeline is getting.
You’re right, Liz is still clearly making a big difference, and so are you, Matt. Every time I read your poignant entries, I think of the amazing man I married and our beautiful children and thank the stars and moon for all of it. Keep telling your story – it’s a gift.
Love,
Tracy Moawad
(ps – our baby’s name is Anya
hello matt you brought a robot from here am not aware of it but dont believe on it. its just people here make bussines from it and nothing more then this. well matt baby is seriosly very very pretty.
thanks for the laugh.. Love the robot story, but I like the yellow and the blue one.. maybe she wanted the blue one instead… can you exchange it.. JK.. Ha!
wow.. only a robot…. what a woman….
thanks for sharing…
~G
Matt-I heard of you and your story through a friend of a friend. I have been reading along and thinking of you all often. This robot story has me, literally, laughing out loud. Sounds so much like something my husband would do, and exactly what my response would be.
Anyways, your daughter is beautiful and I know Liz is with you both always. I love hearing your stories of Liz.
That was slumber party night for Liz and I….I heard all about it through dinner. Although she was mad when she first heard, she did know that you really wanted it. She was softening up before you even got back. I think she grew to love it especially when you made everyone take a picture with it.
I don’t know if she told you but we had found holes in your story. Heehee.
Hi Matt,
I just read your story and laughed out loud. Liz is still bringing everyone smiles.
We are thinking of you and Madeline. I know that she will love these stories when she grows up!
We send all our love from MN!
Matt,
I discovered your story in the CribSheet Blog in the Mpls Star Tribune online. I know you don’t know me, but your story touched my heart and I’m sending warm thoughts your way.
Best,
LMS
I cannot tell you how many families I’ve seen fall apart because of robots. The fact that you two made it through something like that is really a testament to the depth of your character and your love for each other. I’m genuinely touched.
I can’t believe you bought a fucking robot… either.
Oh, I’m laughing so hard right now.
Hi Matt,
I’m a stranger to you as well (friend of Candee and Tom’s, and booked your flight), but want you to know that reading your blog has moved me beyond words. For the last couple of weeks, when I feel like I’m having a rough day, I look at the photos of your lovely little girl, and read about your new life, and I feel curiously uplifted. Of course sad for you but invigorated by the strength of your spirit and sense of humor in being able to see beauty and goodness around you in the darkest days of your life. Your story (and Liz’s life) has made a difference. Thanks for sharing it, and keep it coming. I will enjoy watching little Madeline grow…
Matt,
Sorry I didn’t have a chance to catch you on saturday. I know we haven’t been to close in recent years but at this moment in time I feel we are closer than ever. You are in our thoughts without a doubt and we hope all is well with you and Madeline. Unfortunately my family and I can relate to your situation when we lost Jess a couple of years ago… Though we all know that Liz and Jess are sitting up “there” watching us all, cracking jokes just as you were yesterday, they both seemed to have great senses of humor(although I only spoke with Liz once, she truly did brighten a place up).
I would love to come out to LA at some point to meet Madeline and catch up with you. We can speak of this in emails though.
This explains the robot in your recent post! I was wondering…!
What a happy, funny story. You have so many wonderful things to tell Madeline about her mother!
I will never look at a robot the same way again.
What a lovely story.
Hello Matt,
i am happy for Madeline, that she has such a lovely dad like you. been following up on your little one’s growth. She is such a sweetness.
And talking about the robot, i remember the day when you got the robot – man, i have never seen such a content smile like you had…
Let me try to get you the tape in English
Cheers!
Dude, you were robbed blind. 400 USD means 16,000 Indian rupees and that robot must have cost the owner like 1000 INR in the first place.. seriously, u should have asked some indian friend of urs to bargain, u got seriously ripped off…..
But, i guess that is not what would be on ur mind….just wanted to point it out though
I’m interested in the Robot. Hook me up?
You’ve definitely gotten your money’s worth on the robot!
Hi, I’ve just read about yor story in people magazine, so I had to check it out. I’m so sorry for your and Maddy’s loss. But I can tell great things are to come for you both. I thank you so much for sharing your story with the world. hope to heck back as soon as possible.
Maddy is SOOO beautiful!!!!
Opps I meant check not heck…hehe!
I’m new to this site and your story, but of all the posts I’ve read so far THIS is the one that made me cry. What a pair, you and Liz!
To have gained and lost so much in a space of hours is hard for most of us to fathom. Best of luck to you and beautiful little Miss Madeline.
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