Reminiscing

Yesterday my son turned 19.

I look at him, all 6 ft. plus in height, and naturally I have to think back on when he was born.

Back then we were living in Eugene.  My husband worked at Symantec and I at the U of O Knight Library.  I remember when my maternity leave began.  This was about the time that O.J. Simpson's wife and friend were murdered.  Spent a lot of time watching the infamous car chase, when O.J. was fleeing the law.  Went on for hours, as you may recall.  Trying to find comfortable positions on the couch, shifting my baby bulk to and fro, while eyes were glued to the TV.  Funny, I don't remember watching the ending, but I'm sure I did.  Maybe I was too distracted by other things...ya think??

Anyway, after 18 hours of labor, during which I had an epidural which only took on one side of my body (which is why I didn't have one when I had my 2nd child!), son was born at 8:26 on the morning of June 25. I didn't get to hold him first; husband did.  They had to whisk son into an adjoining room to suction out his little lungs as he had aspirated some of the fluid in the amniotic sac.  So once this was done, son was plopped into his papa's arms.  Then he was brought in to see mama.

How surreal it is to see a baby, and know it's yours.  This was something new, exciting, and terrifying all at the same time.  Knowing that this little bundle is all yours, and your responsibility.

Well, that was 19 years ago and son hasn't turned out too badly.  After all, he's not in jail!  And he's not a drug addict.  He is a high school graduate.   He still lives at home but is taking college classes, so that's definitely a plus too.   All in all, reasons to be thankful and grateful.

Wonder where we'll all be in another 19 years??