When Heather was a little girl her mother gave her a ceramic piggy bank with “For my Trip To The Moon” emblazoned on the side. Heather loved this piggy bank (as only a kid can love a piggy bank), and believed that if she could only save enough coins she really would be able to take a trip to the moon. Last year, when Annie started to understand what money was, Heather was excited to be able to pass the piggy bank on to her daughter.
Annie loved the piggy bank as much as her mama did, and whenever anyone gave her a coin she would squeal, sprint into her room, and drop it into her piggy. “For my trip to the moon!” she would announce as the coin clanked against the ones inside.
Last weekend, when I was cleaning out the garage, I came across a quarter just as Annie pushed into the garage to see what I was doing.
“Here,” I said. “For your trip to the moon!”
Annie beamed and ran out of the garage with the coin. I went back to cleaning, but about a minute later I heard a huge crash just outside the door to the garage. I charged over and swung open the door to see Annie standing there with tears shooting down her face. At her feet the piggy bank was shattered into a million pieces.
“What happened?” I asked.
“I… wanted… to… show… it… to… you!” she gasped.
I scooped Annie into my arms and she cried even harder.
“Fix it, Daddy!” she begged. “Put the pieces back together! Please! Fix it! With glue!”
As much as I wished I could fix it, the piggy bank was well beyond repair. Annie buried her head in my shoulder, crying, and my heart broke into as many pieces as the piggy bank.
Just then Heather walked into the room and saw the piggy bank – her piggy bank – broken. It may only have been a ten dollar piggy bank, but it’d brought the three of us to tears.
The good news is that Heather’s Mom, Linda, brought Annie a new piggy bank the next day (a “princess” piggy bank), and Annie was ecstatic. We sat together for a half hour, dropping all of her coins into the new piggy bank, and it was a huge weight of my chest to see her happy and the trauma of the previous day seemingly forgotten.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much I could do to make Heather feel better. The “For Your Trip To The Moon” piggy bank was twenty-five years old, and unlike the princess piggy bank, a new one couldn’t be found at Target (nor could it replace the sentimental value of the original).
The piggy bank drama, of course, was small potatoes in the grand scheme of things, but it’s just another example of how I can’t make Heather feel better right now.
When we got the call pushing back the c-section because of the results from the test on The Acrobat’s lungs, Heather was pretty shaken up and nervous. I wanted to tell her not to worry – that everything would be okay – but after all we’ve been through these last five years I knew better than to say that. “Everything” isn’t always okay. Those words might have given her comfort when we were younger and didn’t know any better, but not now. These days I’m not sure what to say.
Still, I’ll keep trying to do what I can to make Heather as positive as possible. If she was once able to believe she could take a trip to the moon if only she could save enough coins, something tells me she can find the will to keep moving forward, hoping for the best.
Longtime Lurker says:
Jeez, Mike, it’s just become awfully dusty around here.
Hugs to you all.
Nadinsche says:
Heather is one lucky woman with a man like you on her side. Even if you can’t make her better every time you care so much for her … that’s so heart-warming :-)!
Becca Masters says:
I cried about the piggybank
Shelli from Oz says:
Wow who would of thought a story bout a piggy bank could make me cry..you certainly have a way with words Mike!
gugs says:
Mike – look here – someone is selling theirs…(let’s hope)!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/96733956/super-cute-piggy-bank-for-your-trip-to
gugs says:
Oops it was sold, but there must be another one out there…
Hayley says:
You need to go back to the ceramic store and paint Heather (& Annie) a new piggy bank
Jenn says:
Hi Mike,
I understand what you mean but things always not being okay but sometimes they ARE!! I hope you are able to remember that side of the life too. You’re a wonderful daddy and a great husband. I do believe everything will be okay…even if it’s for all 3 of us right now…. I BELIEVE!!! Like yourself, Heather is strong – one tough cookie and I know she will be able to pull the strength together for the next few days b/c she’s a mommy and that’s what us mommy’s (and daddy
Jenn says:
sorry – it copied my post before I was ready. What I was saying was….I know she will be able to pull the strength together for the next few days b/c she’s a mommy and that’s what us mommy’s (and daddy’s) do!! Hang in there!!! Thinking of & Praying for you and your family my friend!!!
Alexandra says:
If anyone can make Heather and Annie feel better I’m sure it’s you.
Lee Cockrum says:
I found the bank, (listed above) as well on a quick search. I would put in an eBay search that will notify you if anything like that comes up. I love that option on eBay, I forget exactly what it is called.
I hope that you will all do well over the next week or so till the new baby is born. I know it is a lot of stress.
Sue says:
Heather, Mike, and Annie,,,,,
There are just not enough words to describe you guys and your entire wonderful family. You all are the best that I’ve ever seen! I know it’s easy for me to say, but hang in there sweetheart, because I know that there will be a wonderful reward very soon!!
Auntie_M says:
Oh Mike! I actually can say that I do know what it’s like to want to express and give hope but holding back b/c previous experience has left words and feelings of hope as shattered as that precious piggy bank of hopes and dreams.
BUT Heather is beyond blessed to be walking this (sometimes precarious) path with you. I hope you can both push past the truly scary memories of the past and have hope that all will be well for ( at least this short term) future!
sky says:
so sorry about the piggy bank. thought i had found one, but it was sold earlier. those kinds of losses are hard, but sounds like annie has moved on.
Mary says:
Whatever you say or do, it will help. It’s a crappy (understatement) path that you’ve all had to walk, but the fact that you’re together in it is what matters.
Megan says:
Awww, the piggy bank brought tears to my eyes as well. I’ve been there.
My thoughts are with you guys. Why does it have to be a long weekend?! I would gladly go to work Monday if it would take away some of this agony from you both.
Oh, and please tell me Annie’s new piggy bank is plastic I was holding my breath till the end of the post.
Jess Z. says:
Ugh, I cried when I read this because I could feel the heavy weight of emotion that it all entails. All I can say is that it just absolutely sucks when you have something for so long with such emotional attachment and it breaks, on top of a crappy week anyway. I’m sure Annie felt horrible. Your new baby is almost here and you guys will hopefully feel a wave of relief that this obstacle of a tough pregnancy is over. Relish in the newness of your babe and try to think happy toughts He’s almost here!
Jen says:
Mike! There is one on E-Bay! You can paint over the saying and change it to the moon – or maybe something new to capture the moment. It can in no way replace Heather’s, but might be a cute gesture. Here’s the link;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-PIGGY-BANK-Fidelity-Federal-Savings-Loan-Santa-Ana-Porcelain-ADORABLE-/330927979804?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0cd83d1c#ht_76wt_958
Seller is 09racer.
Anne says:
Aw, I love the idea of painting a new little phrase on it. A nice way to commemorate (but not simply replace) the original.
Karen says:
I cried, not gonna lie. Oh Mike, this was so sweet. I’m glad Annabel has a new piggy she loves, but I would search for a way to add “For my trip to the moon” back on there, because that is so perfect. I’m not hugely crafty so I don’t know what kind of paint/marker you would need, but I think it would be great.
Joan says:
Here’s another similar one on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-ceramic-Piggy-Bank-Pig-/330926362916?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0cbf9124
Jennifer Uribe says:
I love how much you love Heather and Annie.
It is clear in every way. It always makes me happy.
Mike says:
I appreciate all the heads-ups about the eBay auctions. It looks like it will actually be possible to track a new piggy bank down. Thanks again!
Steph says:
oh how sweet that the readers are trying to help find the same type of piggy bank. I love this community. Thanks for your writing.
Annalien says:
Oh, I must admit I cried too. Beautiful writing. Praying that the next few days will pass quickly and without incidents and that a happy and healthy Acrobat will be in your arms soon. (Very curious about his name, by the way :-).)
Sunday Stilwell says:
Hi Mike and Heather.
I was wondering if you kept the broken pieces from the bank? I have a friend who creates custom jewelry from broken plates and china and I was thinking perhaps she could make something from the piggy bank?
Let me know and I’ll help you two connect.
xo
Lizk says:
Sorry I have that exact piggy bank and love it, wasn’t thinking of selling. I was Googling the bank name on it to confirm my memories. Mine says for my trip to the moon and has a tiny chip from where you put the coins in. Best of luck!