When I try to conjure up my first memory of her, I have several flashes from our third year of life. I remember my mom taking me to visit her while she was sick at home and discovering that her own mother covered every inch of their floor with newspaper in case she vomited on the floor. I remember taking an old camera my dad gave me to "school" and the black and white pictures that resulted. I remember standing in the back of her dad's El Camino doing the "Firecracker Firecracker Boom Boom Boom" cheer together. We had matching silver lame bathing suits and I remember my mom having to jump in the pool at the country club to rescue her when our inflatable boat turned over on her head.
When we moved back to Hometown, she was there with open arms. She invited me to my first concert--Rick Springfield--and we spent the entire ride home rolling around in the back of her parents' hatchback looking at the stars and dreaming big dreams for ourselves. At some point, she started reading Revelations while bored in church. This was smack in the middle of the cold war, and she decided she didn't want to be away from her parents overnight in case the rapture came in the form of a nuclear bomb. My falling asleep at my birthday party in the fifth grade resulted in righteous anger from her and a late night trip to my house for her mom.
I remember the summer when we were 19 and we piled in the car along with two other friends to drive to the Sheriff's office to let them know that both she and her ex had violated the restraining order she had taken out on him. Imagine my delight when she called to tell me she was dating Heath--the name of her horrible ex and my ex who had died. I could not have been happier watching her walk down the aisle to become his wife.
I'll never forget holding her firstborn in my arms--little Lane. Born 4 months too early and not meant for this world but loved endlessly nonetheless.
Today, she gave birth to her fourth baby since December 2002. Another little girl to join Walker and Kate. She kept the little girl in as long as possible (37 weeks they thought) but Baby Barry is a wee little thing--5 pounds 8 ounces--and is currently getting some help with the little lungs. Mama and Daddy are still trying to come up with a name.
Welcome to the world, Baby Girl. The best wish I can make for you is that you find one friend as loyal, constant and loving as your mom. I love you.
When we moved back to Hometown, she was there with open arms. She invited me to my first concert--Rick Springfield--and we spent the entire ride home rolling around in the back of her parents' hatchback looking at the stars and dreaming big dreams for ourselves. At some point, she started reading Revelations while bored in church. This was smack in the middle of the cold war, and she decided she didn't want to be away from her parents overnight in case the rapture came in the form of a nuclear bomb. My falling asleep at my birthday party in the fifth grade resulted in righteous anger from her and a late night trip to my house for her mom.
I remember the summer when we were 19 and we piled in the car along with two other friends to drive to the Sheriff's office to let them know that both she and her ex had violated the restraining order she had taken out on him. Imagine my delight when she called to tell me she was dating Heath--the name of her horrible ex and my ex who had died. I could not have been happier watching her walk down the aisle to become his wife.
I'll never forget holding her firstborn in my arms--little Lane. Born 4 months too early and not meant for this world but loved endlessly nonetheless.
Today, she gave birth to her fourth baby since December 2002. Another little girl to join Walker and Kate. She kept the little girl in as long as possible (37 weeks they thought) but Baby Barry is a wee little thing--5 pounds 8 ounces--and is currently getting some help with the little lungs. Mama and Daddy are still trying to come up with a name.
Welcome to the world, Baby Girl. The best wish I can make for you is that you find one friend as loyal, constant and loving as your mom. I love you.
2 comments:
i'm totally crying now, thanks. And congrats to your sunshine and family.
What a sweet tribute! And 5 lbs is alright. My niece was only 4 and perfectly healthy, so i hope this little one is too.
Post a Comment