Another First

As Josh and I left a movie tonight I saw that I had a new message on my phone. I dialed up my voice mail and heard, "This is Diane from the ---- focus group company. I think I remember that you had a baby recently. I have a focus group coming up for new moms and it pays $250." 

 SERIOUSLY!?!

At that point I hung up the phone. I was a little stung but even more so I was amused at the irony. On the way to the movies Josh and I had walked through the park, and one of our discussions was about the things that still had the potential to shock or upset us-this wasn't on the list!  Josh and I have known this women for a few years.  Every couple of months she calls us to do a focus group on a new product or gadget, and after spending an hour or two in a room talking about this new gadget, we leave with anywhere from 75-150$ in cash.  

As I am writing this I am smiling.  If this had happened a few months ago it would have tore me apart.  Now it's just another thing to put on the shelf.  Things are changing for me, and the heavy weight that has been on my shoulders for the past 7 months is not always there anymore.  

When we lit Julia's candle tonight it was the first time that neither Josh or I cried.  A bittersweet "first"-but a first just the same.