Saturday, April 17, 2010

Happy Birthday to my daughter

I could not tell you what I ate last night for supper, or what I was doing a week ago. But I can tell you what I was doing, what I ate, and how I felt 22 years ago, today, when my daughter was born. I had been out doing yard work. The day had been unseasonably warm and I was anxious to start cleaning out my gardens. Of course, being 9 months pregnant made it difficult to bend over to rake or pick up sticks; however, several neighborhood children had offered to help. The fresh air and the sun on my face felt good after what had seemed a never ending winter. I was anxious to start playing in the dirt and could hardly wait for the next couple of weeks to pass, until my baby's due date.

My husband and a buddy took advantage of the weather to play not 9 rounds of golf, but a full 18. Needless to say, all that walking and fresh air had tuckered him out and he was looking forward to a nice hot supper and relaxing evening. The spaghetti sauce had been cooking all day in the crock pot. It smelled great and we sat down to devour a meal of spaghetti, garlic bread and salad. Mind you, it was a delicious meal, but in hindsight, not a good choice when one is about to go into labor.

I had started to feel a little uncomfortable late in the afternoon and had assumed it was from all the physical activity. After all, I still had weeks to go and wasn't thinking it was time. Since the pain was starting to be rather persistent, we decided to just check things out. We only lived 15 minutes from the hospital so we got into the car and took off. Between our house and the hospital are railroad tracks. It was only after we had crossed the tracks that I remembered that I had left my magazine back home on the table. I had just gotten my new issue of Country Living and had been looking forward to reading it cover to cover. I figured we would have a wait at the hospital in getting checked out and I can not sit still, without anything to read or do, even for a minute. We returned home to pick up my magazine and the new National Geographic for my husband, of course that took us over the railroad tracks for a second time. With magazines in hand, we were on our way to the hospital, down our street, up the main avenue, and over the railroad tracks for a Third Time! Yes, the third time was indeed the charm. Everything you have ever heard about inducing labor by repeatedly driving over railroad tracks is true, oh my goodness yes it is true!

This was the first and only time that my daughter has been early for anything. There she was, absolutely perfect, ten toes, ten fingers, beautiful bright eyes and a smile that completely captured my heart. As the doctor handed me my little bundle of joy, he asked what her name was. My husband and I looked at each other and together answered, we don't know. First of all, I thought that I was carrying a son, it was just such a strong feeling. We had chosen to use both of our Dad's names, so a little boy would be named Joe Lewis, like the fighter. Secondly, we genuinely thought we still had time to pick a name just in case for a little girl. After a bit of discussion, the name Elizabeth was chosen. In the past 22 years I have cheered that name, blessed that name, been proud of that name, and yes yelled out that name in utter frustration, in the manner that only a mom can do, still with love. I couldn't imagine life without my daughter.


Happy Birthday, Sweetie.

Have a great day.
Sherrie

13 comments:

AWJ said...

Happy Birthday to your daughter! I hope she has a lovely day. :)

CC said...

Happy,Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter..May her day and her life be filled with many blessings.

maryelizabethroche said...

What a beautiful post!
{I personally love the name Elizabeth}
Happy Birthday to your daughter...and to you.

Mary Elizabeth

Ann said...

What a delightful tribute to a wonderful birth day! I too have a child that will be 22 this year, expect I got the boy, again and again and again. : ) They are my world, my everything but what I wouldn't have given to had a daughter. I hope if for granddaughters, of course in the future, not now.
I hope Elizabeth's birthday was fantastic! The pictures are wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!
Mom, what wonderful memories.
My son was late, and yes, we also did the drive over the railroad tracks method of encouraging him. (So you made me smile.)
More than 30 days later, I remember small details about that day as well.

Anonymous said...

oops- 30 years.
And you just reminded me, April 17 is also my brother's birthday. I better give him a call!

Betty's corner of the world said...

What a great "story" .. It brought back memories of my three trips to the hospital. :^)
Happy Birthday to your very beautiful daughter.
I also love the name Elizabeth ..it is my 'real name' ..and also my grand daughter's middle name ..(two of them)
I always tell my daughter's that "I birthed my own best friends".

God Bless you both.
Hugz ..Betty

★Carol★ said...

Happy Birthday to your Elizabeth! She's a beautiful girl, and what a fun story of her arrival into this world. Our daughter's name is Elizabeth too! She turned 21 last December, and she was nine days late coming into this world. We tried just about everything to encourage her to come, including long bumpy rides in the car. Nothing worked, and I guess she finally came when SHE was ready!

Marigene said...

What a wonderful birth day tribute to Elizabeth...Happy Birthday, Elizabeth.

FILIGREE MOON said...

Such a sweet story remembering and celebrating your daughter's birthday! Happy birthday! ~ Angela

quiltmom anna said...

Happy birthday to your beautiful daughter. She shares her day with another beautiful person- my mother.
The pictures in your post are gorgeous - just like the ladies in them!

Hope your daughter has a fabulous day and enjoys a wonderful year too. She is the same age as my son who turned 22 in December.
Have a great weekend.
Regards,
Anna

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Happy Birthday to your dear daughter. I hope she has a lovely one and that you get to enjoy it too!

Laurie said...

Happy Birthday Elizabeth! I love that name. And I love your birth/love story!