Pardon the Interruption…

I had a blog post ready to go and when I woke up this morning, I changed my mind.   I couldn’t let my Sunday post go by without a love note to my daughter, Katie, on her 31^st birthday.    Forgive me for using my blog for this purpose.  Today’s blog goes out to my favorite human.    Feel free to read it because I’m happy to share!!!

Dear Katie…I will never forget the day you were born.   It started really early, actually it started before I realized it (the night before!).   Who knew that those cramps were actually the start of labor.   There was no way I could have imagined how you would change my life.   

We arrived at the hospital around 5:30am.   The doctor came into the room around 7am and he told us it was going to be a long day.   He specifically told your Dad not to miss any meals because he would need his strength!!

I was attached to the monitoring equipment that would be keeping tabs of my baby…watching your heart beat was mesmerizing.   Although I really didn’t need anyone to tell me that I was getting ready to feel another contraction, the monitor prepared me for EVERY pain!!   

Your Dad met a friend for breakfast, and a few hours later, another friend for lunch.   Betty Boop sat with me when he was gone and we made friends with the nurses.    As we moved through the day, I felt like delivery would never come.   With every check-in with the doctor, it was apparent that you were not that anxious to come out.

Soon, the pain had increased to the point that the relief was administered…love me a good epidural!!   It was now late afternoon.  I admit, I was tired and cranky.   I was scared and not quite as excited as I thought I would/should be.    Your Dad met another friend for a quick dinner, after hearing from the doctor, that he, himself, was going to dinner and if nothing changed when he returned, he’d be prepping me for a c-section.   OH HAIL NO!!!    Laboring all day and then, a c-section!   NO WAY!!!

Well, I’m not really sure what happened, but after some tears, the nurse checked me again and said…”I don’t think Doctor Z is going to have time for dinner!”   She left the room to call him and within minutes, your Dad returned and was given his protective attire and we were wheeled into the delivery room!  

I’ll spare you the details, but I will never forget when the room (doctor, nurses, and your Dad) erupted with cheers!    You had arrived, and the next thing I knew, you were raised in the air by the doctor, who proclaimed, “We have a girl!!”   A GIRL!!!   A BABY GIRL!!!  Our Katherine…our Katie!

Next thing I knew, you were resting on my chest with a blanket wrapped around you.  I know I was looking at you but I was crying and things were so blurry.   Your Dad was rubbing my hair, telling me how well I did, and telling me “We have our Katie!”  

Our lives were changed that day, August 25, 1988.   You were a beautiful baby with a head full of hair (at least for a few months!).   You were still beautiful but you lost most of your hair.  I had so much fun dressing you in the multitude of pink outfits and dresses that we were showered with after you were born.

Fast forward to all of your milestones…first birthday, first day of school, first trip to Disney, choir recitals, performances at school and beyond, high school, first dance, first lead in a play, graduation, college search, graduation, first apartment, Anthony, your wedding and soon, your baby!

During these 31 years, there have been very few times that we had disappointments in you.   We have always been able to talk about anything, share our feelings with one another but always acknowledging the relationship of mother and daughter.   We have had mutual respect for one another, despite different opinions at times.   I have loved watching you as a wife and I am happy to share you with Anthony.

The last two plus years have been especially emotional for the two of us as we have endured the sadness of our family being lost.  You have been my rock and I have wondered just how much you should have to bear.   You have never made me feel like a failure, even though I often felt we had let you down.   We have cried together and definitely grown together.   I can’t imagine where I would have been without you, my sweet girl.  

I will never forget you and Anthony making sure that our Hawaii trip happened.   “Grab a friend and come on Mom, you deserve it!”   And I did just that.   It was the trip of a lifetime and I would not change a thing.   It was an awakening for me…for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was going to be okay.   Perhaps it was the beautiful sunrises or sunsets.   Perhaps it was the Grey Goose bottle service.  Perhaps it was the hotties at the luau.   Or perhaps, it was the time on the boat or the balcony, when you and I were alone, arms around each other, crying about how incredibly lucky we were.   I think all of it played a part in where I am today.

Little did I know that 31 years ago today, I would have all of these amazing experiences with my daughter…how that sweet bundle of joy would become the most amazing woman, embracing life and finding a way to use her gifts of music and theater to serve others and educate young people.   You have opened the eyes of so many (including me) about so much in this life.

Today, you will celebrate with Anthony, and you will be in the final stages of your pregnancy.   You have chosen not to know whether or not you have a boy or girl growing inside of you.   I know you are experiencing so many feelings, but I want you to know that the anticipation is so worth it.   You have been the ideal pregnant woman and soon…I will have the honor and privilege of witnessing this miracle of life.   I CANNOT WAIT to share this amazing “first” with you!  
I love you Katherine Elizabeth and forever, I will tell the world that you are truly my greatest accomplishment!   Have a great day!!!