On the day she was born....

(The baby, not me!)

From the time I was very young, I envisioned

myself married, (what young girl doesn't?)

living in a tidy little house with four little boys

running amok. Having two brothers, who

were both wonderful; I never even considered

that I'd have a girl.

Well, I had a girl!

One girl, to be exact.

:)

Back in those days, we had no idea or clue which

would pop out, male or female.  I was such a wimp

during labor, even early on.  I remember about l o'clock

in the morning, my dad saying to me "Well, sis you're

either going to the hospital, or I'm going to bed!"

We went to the hospital.

Patti was born November 17, 1964 at 2:15 P.M.

When they brought her to me, placed her in my

arms, I started crying, sobbing actually,  and saying

"Oh, she's beautiful, I've wanted a girl all along!"

Of course, I also knew I couldn't name her "Patrick Michael".

Over the next few days, I pondered what in the world was

I gonna name my sweet little girl.  Each morning a

Catholic priest visited me, and always the first

thing out of his mouth "Well, do we have a name yet?"

Finally, on the day I was supposed to take my baby home,

Father Andrew, as usual, popped into my room. And,

this is what he said "I know I don't need to ask, but I

have a name for your little girl!"

"Okay" I answered.

He said "Patricia Michelle"

Wow, why hadn't I thought of that?

:)

Then, in 1987, Brittney was born, and

in l991, Ben.  I was in heaven having

grandchildren.  I didn't think anything

in this world could be better than being

a grandmother.  I cherish every special

moment I've shared with those two. They

stamped their beings into my heart from

the very first minute they were born! And,

they were tight as ticks from the very

beginning.

The years passed, and then on Britt's 18th

birthday, she & Mike told us they were

having a baby!

WHOA!

Now, a great grandmother, who me?

But, actually even given Britt's young

age, I was so excited.  As soon as we knew

the baby was a girl, of course, you know what I did;

I was a whirling dervish shopping!

When I also learned that the baby was to be

born in February, I started thinking 'wow,

how cool would it be if she was born on

one of my brother's birthday!  My oldest

brother, Bubba was born on Feb 27; my

younger bro, Mikey, on Feb 17.

Well, the 17th passed right on by.  On

the afternoon of Feb 26th, I watched

poor Britt 'labor' on  in from the parking

lot to the hospital. My Lord, people she

looked like she was gonna drop that babe

right then and there in the parking lot. She

had a look on her face "Don't speak to me, I'm

hurting, can't you tell?"  I

wanted to laugh, but she was in too much

pain, and she never would have forgiven me.

:)

The hours ticked by, and nothin'.

The hours kept tickin' by, and then

around 11 P.M. we knew it was gonna

be soon!  I kept watchin' the clock between

watchin' her.  When the clock reached 11:55 P.M.

I had to leave the room.  I just had to.

I was thinkin' to myself "That baby girl is gonna

be born on Bubba's birthday!"

Then, in a few minutes, standing by the door,

I heard crying.  It was the baby!  I walked

back in, looked at the clock:

12:02 A.M.

She was beautiful, so very beautiful.

I would have thought so, no matter

and couldn't love her anymore than

earthly possible, but for

some reason, in that moment I could feel

an invisible arm around my shoulder,

and I could see, in my minds eye,

a very special smile.

It was Bubba smiling from heaven.