Waking Up: 20 Years Ago Today

Twenty years ago today I woke up uncomfortable. REALLY uncomfortable.

Daniel and I arrived at the hospital around 8:30 AM, just the two of us.

The mother of one of my students was our nurse, and she got us into the “really nice” birthing suite where Daniel started the soothing CDs playing.

Around 11:00, the epidural arrived, and I relaxed.

Daniel fed me ice chips. Changed the CDs. Cheered me through contractions.

I wondered, “Who will she be? What will she be like?”

At 3:05, the answers began as I looked down at our tiny new bundle of life and said, “So you’re the little person I’ve been waiting 9 whole months to meet!”

I was struck by the realization that Annemarie Elizabeth Gregory is not an extension of me or of Daniel. She is not a “mini me” but a separate, distinct individual person.

The next day, we left the hospital, all three of us.

(Here’s our “baby” 18 years later, holding her “baby”!)

* * * * *

This was my first try at Five Minute Friday.

Five minutes to just write, and not worry if it’s just right or not. Kind of like how the rest of my life is at the moment.

Want to join me?

1. Write for only five minutes.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Go leave some comment love for the five minuter who linked up before you.

It’s liberating; give it a try and see!