Episode in the Elevator

My sons have terrific abilities to remember many things that I have long forgotten in the midst of trying to remember when book reports are due, dentist appointments are scheduled, and when to pick up my husband’s dry cleaning. Yesterday we were in the doctor’s office elevator and Riley asked me if I remembered the time when he was three and the elevator stalled with us inside. The memory is much funnier, and less scary, now than it was at the time.


We were in Chattanooga visiting a conference for my husband’s job. While at the conference, the decision would be made by the company if we would be moving to Maryville from Jackson within the next couple of months. Considering that I was 7 months pregnant and unsure of where I would be living when my baby was due, my stress level was through the roof. Harley-Davidson was also holding a conference there along with several other large businesses.


Avery, Riley, and I were in one of the many elevators along with 3 of the Harley-Davidson conferencees. I was trying my best to keep Riley and Avery from gawking at the men with looonnngg braided beards and very descriptive tattoos, when suddenly the elevator STOPPED and the doors DID NOT open. One of the very kind tattooed gentlemen told me they would call someone and get it taken care of.


The hotel told us that they would get someone over there as soon as they could. I must admit I was getting a little nervous, and my unborn Landry was choosing that moment to dance on my bladder, so I got a piece of paper out of my purse to fan with along with a few toys for the boys to play with while we waited. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Harley #1 point to my very large 7 month figure. Harley #2, visibly paled, whipped his cell phone out and very nervously told the hotel to hurry up because there was a pregnant lady stuck in the elevator with them. I quickly reassured them that I was fine...but they decided to take matters into their own hands.


Harley #3 physically pulled the elevator doors open with his bulging tattooed arms. Looking back, I am not sure that this was the safest way to go about this, but they did not take time to ask for my opinion. We realized that we were stuck between two floors and we could see the floor that we needed to be on out of the top half of the elevator.


Harley #1, #2, and #3 were REALLY nervous by this time. Before I knew it, Harley #2 had jumped out and up to the floor. Then, Harley #1 and #3 were lifting me (All of me) up and out. Next, Avery and Riley popped up. It all happened in a matter of seconds. I thanked my very kind helpers, and they hurried off as fast as they could. Evidently, the thought of having to deliver a baby scared the wits out of these ‘tougher than nails’ motorcycle men.

Lessons learned from the long ago elevator experience...
1. Always have toys in the purse for entertaining purposes of small children.
2. Use the restroom BEFORE getting on the elevator when 7 months pregnant.
3. Outward appearences should not dictate my reaction to the soul that is inside.
(In other words, looks can be deceiving.)
4. No matter how tough they are, not matter how great they are at being providers for the home, no matter how many engines they can work on, or tree houses they can build...MEN could never ever handle having a baby!!!!!!!!!