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| The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field, 1991 www.flickr.com |
My
husband’s concern for us was tender and sweet. Slightly smothering at times but
I felt very much loved and cared for and even more so when I was pregnant.
He is
a worrier. Not a risk taker. He is practical.
So
asking if we (he, me and baby bump) could accompany some out-of-town friends to
a concert that weekend was pushing the envelope for him.
“It’s
free fun! And they have kick butt seats,” I added, thinking it would sex up the
deal since disposable income didn't exist.
He didn’t
buy it. His list of reasons was a mile long for why we shouldn’t put our baby
or me at risk in a crowd of 50,000 people.
“What
happens if you get bumped or pushed or fell? I don’t like it. At all.”
“You’re
right, Honey,” I said, head hung low.
When
you’re 8 months, 1 week pregnant, there aren’t a lot of things you can
physically do, or feel like doing, or are excited to do. To say I wasn’t
severely disappointed would be lying.
My girlfriend
suggested retail therapy.
“It
always works!”
So
we headed to Michigan Avenue and Water Tower Place.
And
that’s when the skies opened up and a beaming glow from up above shined down on me.
Okay.
Not really, but the tables turned, for sure.
“Dr.
Fitzmaurice! Hiiiii! What are you doing in the city?” I asked, feeling a little
bit busted for some reason, running into my baby doctor in downtown Chicago.
“Hanging
out for the weekend. What are you doing in the city?”
(Dr.
Fitzmaurice: approximately 37 years old, youngest member of the OBGYN practice,
apparently hip.)
“This
is my childhood friend, Cristina. We were hoping to go to a concert tonight at
Solider Field.”
“The
Grateful Dead! That’s so cool! What do you mean hoping?”
“My
husband…”
“I’ve
met him.”
“Well,
he’s having a problem with me attending because I’m due so soon. He’s heard they
squirt acid or LSD from water bottles at people walking by. And, of course,
people smoking dope. He thinks drugs will get into my system and put the baby
at risk. We’re sitting in the sound booth area, away from the crowd, so all we
really have to do is get inside!”
“Just
a second,” he said.
Grabbing
his wallet from the back pocket of stylish jeans, he removed a business card. Began
writing.
“I
give Gina permission to attend the Grateful Dead concert tonight at Solider
Field. The wellbeing of your baby will not be at risk if she is squirt with
water. Also, there is little chance she will hallucinate, much to her possible
dismay. Bill”
“This
is outstanding!” I hugged him.
“If
he has a problem, tell him to call me. Hey, do you have any extra tickets?”
(Dr.
Fitzmaurice: approximately 37 years old, youngest member of the OBGYN practice,
totally
hip)
I
left the mall with a spring in my step as we walked back to my friend’s hotel. I
had a permission slip! Na, na, na, na, na, nah!!!!!
“And
I DID NOT forge this,” I said as I gleefully presented the card to my husband.
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| The Grateful Dead Concert at Soldier Field, 1991 photo credit: davidmcgough.com |
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40 comments:
Hahahahaa!
This was so much fun to read!
I'm so glad! The concert was crazy. Baby turned out fine (at least it seems so 23 years later).
Oh, I just love this. God bless that young, hip doctor!
Cute story!
So, did you have any extra tickets?
ha, AWESOME story. and pretty cool that the baby has been to a Dead show!
That's good karma, baby! He was pretty cool and I did NOT want him to deliver the baby. I wanted the old fart!
Thanks, Erica!
My friend's hubby was the licensing attorney for The Dead so we didn't really have seats. They let us hang out on the sound stage in the middle of the field. Super fun!
That crowd was quite a sight! Sting, his only time doing so, was the backup band! Kick ass concert. She loves The Dead now but how could she not.
Sounds like a good time.
wow...talk about an opportune run in. That was a great story...Do you tell it to your kid now?
Hahaha! Your doctor sounds like my doctor. I am glad that you were able to go to the concert--those are really fun, I've heard!
How hilarious to get a note from your doctor! Ha!
That is an awesome story Gina! Hurray for your hip doc. I would've loved to see the look on your husband's face when you presented him with the permission slip. I mean, what are the chances? So funny!
Awesome story! Did you name your baby Jerry? ; )
You can never start the deadheads too young!
It was a blast. Met Bob Weir and Jerry!
Karma!!!! I was meant to go to that concert! She knows.
They are so much fun. Might have been even more fun if I wasn't pregnant ;-). Yes, he was cool.
So timely!
And my husband was shocked. Accused me of forging at first. I had back up, though, and it wasn't my messy female handwriting but a man's.
I wish I still had it. I wonder if he does. I gave it to him. He didn't believe me at first. He is used to me. And it was meant to be.
Thanks! It was a girl. I guess she could have been Jeraldine?
That's really young. It's so funny how they come around and start liking the old rock music we like. Then there are the contemporary remakes that they think originated in their time. They are shocked when I sing the words.
You are sooo lucky! What a great story! See, retail therapy really does solve everything!
Hahaha! This is the best story ever! :) Glad you got to go.
And I'm not a shopper by nature and certainly wasn't being THAT preggers but it was in the stars!
It was hilarious at the time. I wonder if my husband still as that card. I should ask although it's doubtful he does (but he does save a lot of stuff so maybe).
I saw the dead....some time between 91 and 93??? I am not a fan (no offense, just not my style) but I was a teen and had never been to a concert so I tagged along with my mom and aunt. That is awesome that you got "permission" from your OBGYN :)
If this was June 22 91, it was my first show. Pretty incredible!
You can listen to it here: http://archive.org/details/gd1991-06-22.sbd.unknown.29057.sbe-fix.flac16
Very cool!!! Birth date was 7/14. Thanks for stopping by, Bill.
I like The Dead. That was some concert you got to see as a teen. Then again, my parents let me see The Stones at Soldier Field when I was 16. That permission slip was the "golden ticket" for sure.
THat is an awesome story! I am totally jealous of all of it! July babies rock, BTW.
It was fun. Not necessarily being pregnant in the Chicago heat but the concert was. July babies do. I'm a fall baby and prefer that.
Best. Baby Doc. Ever.
Great story! Loved your post!
He was so cool. I saw him recently (not as my doctor but while in the office). Boy, is he OLD! ;-) Thanks, Beth!
I never got to see the GD, but I did see The Jerry Garcia Band - and that's pretty close. Glad you got to go!
This New Orleans girl was in the crowds at Mardi Gras at 38 weeks, pushing my way to the front so I could see. "It'll be fine," I said. And it was. Right up until the moment my water broke. :-) Glad your story ended with dancing and not a trip to the hospital!
Great story! I'm married to one of those practical men too; I think it's a positive thing more often than not! So glad you got to go!
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