Every year my mother calls and wishes me a happy birthday, followed by the story of the day I was born. I've heard it 27 times now and love it each and every time. So this is how it goes:
I am the youngest of five. My mother had her first two sons at the hospital. Then she had the last three at home, on purpose. This wasn't AS unusual as maybe it is today. We had a doctor there, so settle down. Anyway, I was a bonus baby. I was born on a hot sticky summer morning in July. The doctor came and her delivery was pretty easy. My brother Patrick was born on July 22nd and Kevin was born on the 23rd. Pat was seven years older and Kev was five. They were arguing about whose birthday I would land and finally I made my grand entrance at nine am on the 22nd. So in sorts my brother Patrick and I are twins, just exactly seven years apart. And Yes. My parents anniversary is in October:)
My mother had planned a little birthday party with cake and ice cream with some of the neighborhood boys for my brothers. Little did she know she would be in labor that very same day. So naturally you would assume the party would be called off. But I was the fifth and labor was practically second nature to my mom at that point. She insisted to my father that since it was just a few boys the party should go on. Late that afternoon the boys arrived. My mom dressed me up in a pink dress, only hours old and brought me downstairs to the party. My sister was almost three and instantly thought she was mother and I was born purposely for HER. So she latched to my side as everyone sang Happy Birthday to me and my brothers.
That evening one of the little boys went home and his mother asked, "How is Ms. O feeling. Does she look like she is about to have that baby!" So matter-or-factly, he stopped, looked at his mother and said, "Oh, well she had her." Then he went back to playing with his toys. She grabbed the phone and called up my mom and couldn't believe her son was telling the truth.
And that's how I entered this world. Dressed up in pink and heading to a party the first day I arrived. :)
1 comment:
Ah memories! Yeah -- heaven forbid the brothers b-day party be cancelled (Kev was turning 5 yrs and Patrick was turning 7yrs old).
I can't say I did any work for the party. . . we all played a couple of games, and then had cake and ice cream (Aunt Susan had made the cake). You were very "pretty in pink" -- I did mention to the party-goers that it was your b-day too -- your real "birth" day!
Love,
your Mom
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