Three years ago tonight I was in pain. I was in labor but no one really believed I was actually going to have a baby. Upon my arrival at the hospital, I was urged to go home and return to my normal activities. Er, um, Dr. Lin, I said through clenched teeth. I don't think I could stand this type of pain at home. He finally agreed to send me up to the "fake labor" room for the next 6 or so hours where my friend Fran and I walked around for hours, wondering if I was, indeed, in labor.
The nurse, bless her wicked heart, asked me if I had a low pain tolerance.
But I was to be redeemed when I got that epidural and spent the wee hours of the next morning staring at a monitor, my doting mom, the dream team of Fran and Dan and then greeted the new morning with just a few little pushes and the arrival of precious little Mia. My brother Ross listened to the whole ordeal from the other side of the door. That next day was the last time I saw him.
Three years later a lot has changed. People I love are gone. I have a good job. Fran and her husband Charlie just brought back their new daughter Lila from China this week and we are so incredibly happy to have her home that we are busting with joy.
And Mia is nutso. She is dancing and singing around like a total dodo bird. I think she's very excited about having a birthday. For me, her birthday will always be tied into these memories. Still, I couldn't be more excited or proud.
I think it's okay to sit back and celebrate three successful years of somehow keeping a child alive and thriving! Oh yeah, she's a pretty good kid on her own too.
