Motherhood

21 years ago today after years of fertility treatments I felt my first labor pains and, after nearly 24 hours, no pain medicine, no food, not even a sip of water, and a crushed tailbone, my 9 pound 2 1/2 ounce first-born child who was turned posterior came into the world with the assistance of a really good doctor using forceps. During this time of labor, we had some very dangerous moments and I felt death. It was an incredible experience that remains so vivid in my mind it seems like yesterday. Thankfully, God guided the doctor, and my life and the life of my son were spared. We named him Bryce Anthony and he was beautiful. However, because of the extensive damage I suffered during childbirth, I don't recall many of the "first" things. I was not released for work for six months and I survived on pain pills for eight years. Finally, I got enough nerve to go the doctor, had reconstructive surgery, and was able to live without daily pain medicine. At the end of 1995, I had a positive pregnancy test and fear gripped me. Shortly after the test, I was experiencing extreme pain and was rushed to hospital. There, I was given a pediatric dose of Demoral and it knocked me out for more than eight hours. A remember the doctor coming in and telling me I had to have surgery because of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. This doctor saved my life and corrected some things that were contributing to the infertility I had been experiencing. After losing this pregnancy, I felt depressed but it wasn't too much longer and I was expecting. In 1997, Blake Austin was delivered via cesarean section. YEAH!!! That was a piece of cake after what I had experienced 10 1/2 years earlier. This son was gorgeous, too. His head looked as if it had been dusted with orange blush and his skin was milky white. Two weeks later, we went to church together. Then in 2001, at the age of 41, here came (via cesarean section again) the grand finale - the princess - the girl who also had red hair and milky white skin, and we named her Bryn-Anika. Motherhood - it has its share of pain, but I believe I can honestly say, the joy far exceeds the pain. I'm sure the mom's who read this can share many of their experiences, too. Feel free to write your story in the comment box. My children are now 21, 10 and five years old, and being their Mommy has been the greatest experience of my life. I want them to be the best, I want to give them the best, and wish everything wonderful for them. Reality is they will have pain in their life and someday they can write their story. As much as I would like to block any hurt in their life, I can't. I just hope that I can live such a positive example of perseverance in front of them, that they will know how to best handle the hurts that come their way. To all mothers, I wish you a blessed and happy Mother's Day.

The pictures are my three last month, Bryn at her first church service with Grandma, Bryn at her second service with me.