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Monday, October 1, 2012

Giving Birth is Hard; Being Born is Easy

I'm participating in a blog hop from Jane Ann Mclachlan called October Memoir and Backstory Blog Contest (or, at least, I'll participate in some of it; we'll have to see if I make it all the way). So, here is my first post (concerning age 1-2).


I clearly remember the day I was born. It was a cold day in November. Everyone was nervous: my mother, the doctor, the nurses. (Where was my father?) They were all worried but me. I knew everything would turn out all right. I was so happy to be born. I knew I would have a magnificent life, full of exciting adventures; by the way, being born is the first great adventure, is it not? (And, yes, those adventures did come true, but that's another story.) All they could think about was will I be a boy or a girl. Ha, ha. I kept them waiting and guessing until the last second. All I could think about was why is this happening. Why all this fuss and bother? What's so special about being born? Everyone's born, right? We all move from darkness to light, right? (Of course, we all move from light to darkness, eventually, but that's another story.) There is so much to say about being born--the noise, the wetness, the pressure, the cry--yes, the cry, the first sound we make--that makes everyone happy and relieved. At first, crying is a wonderful thing. Your mother, your father, everyone, comes to you when you cry. (There's a time when that changes, but that's another story.) So my first day of life was a great adventure that made everyone happy. Isn't that the point of being born?

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

A wonderful take on birth! :) I don't know if it's all that easy on the baby - imagine being thrust from a water environment to one of air. Being ripped from a warm, safe place into a cold one where you're being poked and prodded by strangers. Drops in your eyes, things thrust in your mouth, having to learn to drink, feeling hungry, tired, hard surfaces poking into every muscle.. :)

Rachna Chhabria said...

Great birth story. Yes, when we are young/small, each and every cry of ours makes people rush towards us. Alas, when we grow we prefer to cry in solitude. But, that's life.

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

Susan, you make a good point.

Rachna, it's kind of sad isn't it, but it's better that way.

Emily R. King said...

Very interesting, Richard. I think you're right. Being born is more about everyone else than the baby, isn't it? At least it was for me. I had fabulous days when my children were born. Them...not to much. :)

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

Emily, I was present for all three of my children's births. I wouldn't change that for anything. Possibly the best days of my life.

Gerry said...

I love your creativity, Richard! I'm doing Jane Ann's challenge, too, and it's been interesting so far to see what's cropping up in memory. I need to loosen up and stop worrying about what I *don't* remember, get a little more creative with this assignment. I enjoyed your post.

Anonymous said...

@Rachna, I think that's because, as we grow, they stop running to us and start saying "you want something to cry about? I can give you something to cry about" hehe

Tamara said...

Awesome post. I love the idea of telling it from your babyhood pov. And I like the idea that we all move from darkness to light. Very poetic.

Unknown said...

I love the optimism and hukour in this - from the baby's PIOV. It's interesting to compare his excitement to the adults' worry. IToo bad we lose that bubbling excitement of childhood, which you've captured so well here.
Great start to the October challenge!

Neil Davies said...

Great babies eye view of the whole event!! A whole life ahead of us, full of possibility and optimism. Shame the world can beat that out of us at times.

Maybe it is best to remember that early excitement and try to live with that same hunger to find new things.

I'll look forward to reading more!

Thanks,

Neil.

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

Jane Ann & Tamara--Thank you,

Gerry, thanks. Obviously, I've used my literary license.

Neil, I couldn't agree more.

Todd R Moody said...

That is so awesome that you remember that moment! I'm kinda fuzzy on it. =) Great post!

Tamara said...

P.S. I was hoping you wouldn't mind me asking you a quick favor? I'm in a contest and I made it to the top four finalist. It's Team Kissy against Team Kiss Off. The website is www.monibw.blogspot.com If you could take a second to go vote in the poll (it's right after the entries) I'd really appreciate it. I can't tell you which entry I am--but I can tell you I am one of the two team Kissy entries.Of course , vote for the entry you like the best and I'll hope you pick mine. Thanks! Again, this is super-appreciated!

Joy said...

What a fun take on this "assignment." I love all the questions and the repetition in the parentheses. Fun piece!

Joy's Book Blog

Melissa Sugar said...

Interesting birth story . You make a good point: Our birth is so much more about everyone else around than it is about us. Of course, we are too young to ever remember that. I am not sure what this blogfest is all about, but I enjoyed reading your very unique POV birth story.

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

Todd, I understand fully.

Tamara, I'll do it. Hope everyone who reads this will do it, too.

Joy, thank you.

Thanks, Melissa.

Tanya Reimer said...

This had such a fun voice! so exciting. Sounds like a fun blogfest!