If You Want Me, Come and Get Me
As a former teacher, I often share stories about the start of the new school year. It is indeed an exhilarating time for educators. It is a season of anticipation.
A few schools are already in session. A few will start this week or next. But the year I want to share in today’s post happened many years ago. The first day was on Wednesday, September 1st.
I taught second grade at the time. I loved my job. This particular year would start a bit differently than others.
I was pregnant with my third child. The baby was due September 2nd. Mrs. Boyer was to be the long-term substitute teacher in my class. I knew my students were in good hands. I went to the school a week or so before the first day of school to help Mrs. Boyer set up the classroom.
That same day of working in the classroom, I had an ultrasound. My husband and I marveled at the little hand and fingers of the baby as they opened and closed; a sort of beckoning motion.
We had not had an ultrasound with our first two daughters. This was new to us. We hoped to learn the gender for this little one, but the doctor couldn’t tell from that angle.
What the doctor did see was that the baby was what they call a “frank breech.” (read: butt first) He told us to pray the child would turn. So I did.
My first two children arrived at least a week before their due date. Not this one.
I went to school on that first day of classes to meet my students, assure them Mrs. Boyer and I were working together, and, hopefully set the tone for a smooth transition when I did return to the classroom later.
Then I waited. The next day came and went with no sign of labor.
I woke up early on September 3rd. I was uncomfortable. An hour or so later, my husband and I headed for the hospital. My prayer had been answered. The baby had turned. Unfortunately, I had not been very specific in my prayers. My little one was now what they call a “transverse lie” breech, meaning the baby was crossways instead of head down. The doctor announced he would need to do a C-Section.
That little gesture made with the hands that we saw on the ultrasound turned out to mean, “If you want me come and get me.”
Our third daughter arrived early on September 3rd. On her own terms. She still lives life on her own terms. She is a vibrant, active, loving woman. She is a wife and mother of two… two little girls starting school.
 |
| The Best Start of School Ever! |
Aww, what a lovely story! Happy (belated) birthday, Kendall.
ReplyDeleteI will certainly pass that on to her! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Delete