Billy Joel’s recording of “Just the Way You Are” was released (or “dropped” as we say now) in September of 1977. By early 1978, the song was still getting a lot of airplay on the radio. During the nearly four months my daughter was in the Intensive Care Nursery at UCSF, my husband and I sat next to her crib for hours at a time. Whenever that song came on, played softly against the constant beeping of the monitors and the bustling activity of doctors and nurses, I looked at my baby girl with her Mohawk haircut (to accommodate IVs when they ran out of good veins), her NG tube, her scars and her chest tubes–and I would blink back the tears. When I was alone outside the hospital, I would always start to cry when I heard those first few notes.
And after each new setback and indignity, I would look at her and think: I love you just the way you are.
Oh my, Risa…yes, indeed. Songs bring us right back to certain moments and you tell us poignantly why this one is so meaningful for you. Though I only spent two days in Intensive Care with my 11 week old baby (who had meningitis, but also had IVs in his tiny arms; blood drawn from his feet), I can totally empathize and understand your tears and fears.
Oh, my Betsy. Even two days in intensive care are grueling! My daughter had IVs in every conceivable place, and those heel sticks–ouch. Thanks for your kind words.
Oh, Risa, your story has me blinking back tears. I’m sure I will think of this song in a different light the next time I hear it. And those sweet photos, and her big beautiful trusting eyes…so moving. ❤️
Thanks, Barbara. One of her doctors actually took those pictures and sent me the negatives after the fire. I never would have had them otherwise. A miracle, it seemed at the time. Thanks for your kind words.
So short, sweet, moved me to tears, Risa. I won’t thing of this song in the way I used to any more!
Thanks, Marian. That baby is now 44 years old now, but that song still gets me every time!
A very moving tale. This is one of my favorite Billy Joel tunes, of which I like many. Only got to see him live once, way back in April 1977. In our college gym! Not long afterwards, he got WAY bigger than a college gym audience.
Thanks, Dave. How cool to have seen him live before he hit the big time!
This is so moving. I always liked that song, but this is special. I hope things turned out well after all those medical interventions. She clearly had your love.
Thanks, Khati. Things did turn out well for her. She will always need to be followed up, but she is healthy and strong. She became a nurse, which initially floored me–I thought she’d never want to set foot in a hospital again!
Wow, the featured image of you and Caitlin is fabulous! As is the smaller one of Bruce with her on his chest. I’ve always loved this song, but your association of it with that difficult time in your life brings new meaning to it. Very poignant. Btw, I just looked at Caitlin’s facebook page, and it looks like she has a Mohawk again.
Ha! Yes, Suzy, she is sporting a Mohawk these days! Full circle? Thanks for your comment.
Thanx for sharing this moving story Risa, and so thankful to learn your baby girl is now a healthy and strong young woman … and a nurse, bless her!
Thank you, Dana! She’s an amazing woman, considering her rough start in life.
While I always loved that song, it now takes on new meaning for me. I have a daughter about the same age as yours, and her first baby ended up in the NICU for several days because she was so unexpectedly small and needed oxygen. It turned out she was diagnosed with CF two years later. Now, at age 15, she’s doing amazingly well and is a cross country runner. But of course, we never know how the story will end when we are holding and loving that sick baby. Thanks for sharing your story and reminding me of a beautiful song.
Thanks for your kind words, Laurie. Glad to hear she’s doing well.
Wow. I’ve known several people who have had to attend to their newborns in the NICU for days or weeks, and so I was right there with you. A very poignant piece. Thanks.
Thank you, Dale.