Chris Wilson

I grew up in a time when going to a local shopping mall, Valley Hills Mall in Hickory NC to be exact, was the high watermark of the weekend. As with most malls then, and the malls that still see traffic today, there were various kiosks spread throughout the upper and lower levels. All manner of trinkets, skincare products, and toys were sold to passersby who were unfortunate enough to make eye contact with the person working the booth. Around Christmas there would always be the arrival of the 3D pictures called “Magic Eye.” You remember them, right? The poster size picture of a random pattern full of bright colors that had an image hidden in plain sight. At least that is the story I was told. I could never, and still to this day cannot see whatever image is hidden there. I’ve tried all the tricks and followed all the instructions of those who can see the picture in less than a minute. Nothing I’ve done works. As a kid it frustrated me to no end to have people tell me what they wer...

During the early afternoon of March 4th we sat in the darkened room as the screen in front of us came to life. As the sonographer began to work the wand over my wife’s abdomen, we saw the unmistakable outline of our child. Everything with her, from measurements to heartbeat, was as it should be at roughly 9 1/2 weeks old. With an exhale, we both relaxed our shoulders and breathed deeply as the greatest fear of any ultrasound is the loss of a child. The sonographer continued her work and as she continued to measure and take pictures it became clear to my wife and I that there on the screen was the unmistakable outline of a second child. The twins we had joked about and secretly longed for were going to be a reality. What would we do with four kids under 6 years old? How long could we stay in our current house? How much would a bigger van cost? All of those questions flooded through my mind. Then the measurements for Baby B were recorded with clinical precision on the screen, 6 week...