Sunday, August 16, 2009

It's a Birthday!

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It was forty years ago and I was not in Woodstock, New York. I had been in the hospital since the evening of August 13, in labor. Too much labor to send me back home and not enough labor to deliver a baby. In fact, my doctor was in a golf tournament, so he was in no hurry to come back to the hospital. Finally, early Saturday morning, August 16, my doctor's partner was doing rounds and couldn't believe I was still in labor. They were giving me what was called "twilight sleep". Not enough to knock me out, but enough to keep me quiet. He immediately ordered an x-ray (no ultrasounds in those days) and found out that the baby was laying transverse or totally on her back facing up. No way I was going to deliver this way. An immediate c-section delivered a healthy 7 pound 1 ounce girl that we named Erika Susan.

Erika and I had had a long journey. She was our "made in Germany" baby. I flew back to the states when I was 6 months pregnant. The Trout was to follow a month later when he got out of the Army. My flight arrived late in New York and I missed my connecting flight. Okay, so here you have a small town kid, very pregnant and stuck in a New York airport overnight. So what to do? I found a bench in the ladies restroom and slept there overnight. Figured I would have less contact with people there and I could keep this unborn baby safe. I was a wreck. It was definitely a growing up period. It was one of the first times in my life I started using the theory that I have followed since. "What are my needs and what are my wants?" Needs always come above wants. It just has to be that way.

So, this is a picture of our first born, Erika, who turns 40 today. She has blessed us with two beautiful grandchildren. I wish you a beautiful day, Erika, and may the years that follow be as fruitful and fulfilling as possible and may God always watch over you.

6 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to Erika! I'm an August 16 baby also, although it was 54 years ago...

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  2. Anonymous7:21 PM

    Happy Birthday Erika! Two of my daughters' birthdays are August 15 and August 17th. And, my Oma Zuber was born August 16th!!! So, your mom did what I tried to do 2xs but I kept missing Oma's birthday. Have a good 40th year. Gunther is enjoying his 40th year too. CZB

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  3. Happy Birthday to your DD -- what a story . . .

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  4. Susan. Sit down. You are not going to believe this. I was another cool cat who was in labor during Woodstock. My daughter was born on the 16th as well. Talk about 6 degrees of separation :-).

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  5. A very Happy Birthday to your daughter!

    Wow! What a brave girl you were. I bet you're still just as brave. :0)

    That fire looks cozy too!

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  6. What a lovely story. Happy birthday to Erika.

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