Well folks it is time to rock the pumpkins and scream at the witches. I think back to years ago when I went into labor for my second child after walking the local neighborhood with my friends and kiddos, along with my five-year-old son better known as a Transformer. Just moments after that two-hour trek I felt those familiar pains, with a husband four hours away on business and family close by- but a due date six weeks away (or so I thought). Needless to say, I jumped in the car around 10 pm that night and headed for the hospital. No bag with me, but my five-year-old and his bag of Halloween candy still dressed from our trick or treating trek earlier.
Once I arrived at the hospital it became clear that I would not be leaving without an additional child- early. This was before cell phones and all so calling my local in laws and parents and of course, my hubby became essential. No one was ready for this- especially me but we made it work. The doctor gave me a shot to make my labor slow down- in hopes that daddy would make it in time for the early delivery. In the meantime, some kind nurses looked after my over sugared five-year-old son until grandparents came to the rescue. I remember asking if we could go to the chapel and say a prayer for good health and a successful delivery. The pains were strong- and especially so without any help. But it was all worth it. Although the second one missed being born on Halloween by a short window of time, he is always remembered as a little mystery goblin- and one that had us spend some additional time in more than one hospital- but the important thing is he made it.
Medical advances have continued to reach higher. Pre-mature babies are not as uncommon anymore- and thankfully, each one has a better chance towards healthy lives. This is why Halloween is representative of a “special Thanksgiving” for me. When a family goes through some life challenging events it always changes life. People cannot comprehend unless it is something that you go through yourselves. It makes me think of funerals and how people don’t know exactly what to say- and most of the time say something that doesn’t make sense- “I know how you feel”. Well, we cannot know how someone feels until we walk on their shoes.
In fact, for the next seven years I would always dread the holidays- I was worried about when we would be back in the hospital as we were as a family each Christmas time after the second son’s birth. But as time passed the early arrival second son’s health grew stronger. There were less doctor and hospital visits and more time for trying to relax and let things go. It was hard on that five years older sibling as well- sometimes sleeping on the hospital pull out beds with us, as we had moved away, and no family was close by to help. So, as we move forward in this cycle of holidays and celebrations, let’s take into account the simple things such as silence and support. The longer we live the more we experience, and the more we experience the more we learn to listen, to sometimes be quiet and smile. That is the best gift of all- consideration and life. Now those two little boys are grown up with children of their own- and we take the time to watch, listen and hopefully provide support for their busy lives as the cycle of life continues.