My husband, oldest son and I had spent the night of November 27th, 1983, at my Mother’s, fearing that if we didn’t, we would become snowbound in our home 3 miles outside of town. I awoke the next morning with an immediate need to get to the store to do grocery shopping, get home and clean the house and do all the laundry, so we left as soon as I got myself ready. I don’t remember exactly what time I went to bed that night, but I know I went to sleep feeling very satisfied that I had accomplished everything I had so urgently felt the need to do. I slept very well all night, until about 5:30am –

then I awoke needing to go to the bathroom very badly, so I got up and sleepily trudged my way to the bathroom. It wasn’t until I was more awake, sitting right there on the toily, that I realized there was more to this feeling I had than simply needing to use the bathroom. It was time.

I went back to the bedroom and woke my husband. Then I went to the window and looked out, as the sun had begun to rise. Oh no! More snow! We have to leave right now! I got my son up and told him to hurry and get dressed; we were taking him to Grandma’s. Then I called the doctor and told him we were on our way. Tony wanted to drive down the road and get his big truck from work then come pick me up, but I said no, we needed to leave immediately, and I was fairly sure the car would make it. I was very close to being wrong!

We made it into town, albeit precariously at times, but then we got behind an idiot driver going about 5 mph, and I was beginning to panic! We finally made it to my Mother’s, and Tony just parked right there in the middle of the street, fearing that if turned into the driveway we would get stuck. He picked up Ryan and ran him up to the house, where Mom was waiting. We then drove the few blocks to the hospital, and breathed a huge sigh of relief as we walked through the doors.

I was rushed upstairs and was quite shocked when the nurses examining me announced, “She’s crowning! Call the doctor!” What?! Crowning?! Already??? Suddenly, time slowed to a crawl. I distinctly remember everything going in slow motion. Even the way people talked sounded slow. I wondered why it was taking everyone so long to do anything!

The doctor arrived after what seemed an eternity, and they whisked me to the delivery room. There had not been any time to prep me whatsoever. Once inside the delivery room, the doctor proceeded to break my water. There was so much pressure from the baby already being so low, that when the water broke, it showered the poor doctor from head to foot! I remember thinking, “Serves you right for keeping me waiting”. LOL In actuality, he had come to the hospital as soon as the nurses called him. He only lived about 3 blocks away, so it didn’t take him any time at all to get there. It only seemed like it took forever!

Three good pushes later, our son David was born, perfect, and precious. He came into the world at 7:58am — 32 minutes after I arrived at the hospital. It was the 29th of November, 1983.

So, today, 20 years later, I want to wish my son a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! You will always be perfect and precious to us! We love you!