Today is my daughter’s birthday. 28 years ago she was born on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. That year my husband and I spent Thanksgiving Day at home. I was due any day and we didn’t want to travel the thirty minutes to get to my parents’ house. I was huge, swollen and uncomfortable and did not want to be far from my Doctor or from Henry Mayo Hospital.
In preparation for our first baby we took a weekly birthing class. The classes were going well until the day they showed a birthing video. One expectant dad in the class (big, tall, muscular type) passed out just by watching it, and his very pregnant wife began sobbing uncontrollably. Her crying prompted other expectant moms to start crying and, yes I started crying as well. My husband and I ended up having to leave because I became nervous and when I’m nervous I tend to cry and laugh at the same time. I can’t help it. It was a real mess.
Not long after this class our girl was born. Things did not go as smoothly as we had hoped, but the end result was a beautiful, healthy baby girl. I do remember trembling uncontrollably and a kind nurse covering me with a very warm blanket. The next thing I remember I was waking up in a room and seeing my husband holding our baby. We instantly fell in love with her and have loved her ever since.
She is a blessing!
