California~~Christmas 1979. The day before New Year's Eve~~No snow~but chilly. Our tree still stood proudly in the living room, the lights and decorations as beautiful as when we had first adorned it~~In fact~~the sights~sounds~and smells~~of Christmas were still everywhere.
We were a family of 8~~soon to be 9. My (now ex-) husband had 3 sons (ages 17, 11, and 9) from his previous marriage; I had a 5-yr. old son (Yupp~ My son, Jon ) and a 4 yr. old girl, from my previous marriage. Together, we had a 14-month-old son, and I was 8 months' pregnant, due January 21, 1980. (Ok~I hear you out there~~"Sounds like a tv show or a movie title"~~Well~"The Brady Bunch" we weren't (besides~I am NOTHIN' like Mrs. Brady~~what~~are you nuts~????) On the other hand~~hummmm~~the wonderfully warmhearted and funny Henry Fonda/Lucille Ball classic, "Yours, Mine and Ours" DOES come to mind~!! Yupp~~That'll work).
Although exited about the trip to New York City, where his Drama Club from High School would be at Times' Square on New Year's Eve, our oldest son was having 2nd thoughts~~for he knew that I could have the baby anytime. My last 2 children had been born early, and there was a good chance it would happen this time. But, I assured him that it wasn't going to happen right away, and that he should go on this trip~~a once-in-a-lifetime happening~~and he~reluctantly I thought~continued his packing.
That evening, sitting in the living room watching TV, I felt the first early twinges of undeniable labor. I kept quiet though, and waited until our son had left for his trip before saying anything. We arranged for a friend to take the kids, and left for the hospital~about 11:30 that night~~but I was in for a long wait.
Although labor had started, the baby was still too "high" to be delivered, and so began my marathon of walking the hallways of the hospital. Now~~you have to try and picture this~~Ok~?? The Labor and Delivery Rooms are on the 4th floor~~and I was instructed to (continually) walk the hallways~~go downstairs (and come back of course~!!)~~until they were assured of an easier delivery~~for both the baby and me. Yeah~~Right~!!!! We took a couple of "jaunts" up and down the hall and down to the Cafeteria (in the basement, by the way~!!) and back to my room. Just as I have one knee on the bed, getting ready to climb back in ("just for a little while~~~PUH-LEEEEZE~!!")~~who walks in but the Nurse. "You're supposed to be walking the halls" she says~~So~~Off we go again~!!!
When our son called from NY City, to tell us they'd arrived safely, and learned I was at the hospital, he wanted to come home immediately~~but I told him there was nothing he could do and assured him we would let him know. I sent him back to their excited tour of Times' Square~~with a bit of envy. You see~~I was born and raised on the East Coast~~But never DID get to spend New Year's Eve at Times' Square. Oh to be young again~!!!
Finally, early in the afternoon of December 31, 1979, I was taken into the delivery room. Dang~~that baby WOULD have to interrupt General Hospital~just when it was getting good, too~!! But, at 2:49 p.m., Monday, December 31, 1979~~when my little girl, my youngest (and my last) made her debut~~weighing in at 6 lbs. 6 ozs, 21 inches long~~she did so with a huge splash~!! At that instant~~it did matter I had never been to Times' Square on New Year's Eve~~but then again~~so much for MY "New Year's Eve" glass of wine (compliments of my Dr) at dinner that night~!! I was scheduled for~and underwent~a tubal ligation the next day.
And then~~My baby's Dr~and mine~~came into my room to talk to me. They were going to move me to a private room~~Our baby was having problems, and would not be going home as planned. She had developed "Hyaline Membrane Disease"~~the very disease that had taken the life of 3-day old Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, the infant son of President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy. I remember praying hard that night after the Drs. left~~and~~for the first of what would turn out to be many lonely nights~~I cried~~for myself~~and for the Precious tiny Life I had just brought into this World.
I guess God hears prayers after all~~Because one week later~~Sunday, January 6, 1980~~we brought Kylene Deeann home from the hospital. When I walked into the living room~holding this tiny, quiet little bundle, I asked our oldest son, sitting on the couch if he'd like to hold her. Wide-eyed and in a trembling voice, he looked at me, and said, "Mom~~NOOOOO~!! If I drop her~she'll break~!!!!" I laughed~~and told him, "Nah~she's a toughy~!! She won't break~~but she might break your finger~~She's got a helluva' grip~!!" Smiling, I laid her in his arms~~and watched as the first person~~other than myself and her father~~cradled this precious jewel. And I was at Peace. Little did I know~~or even dream~~that just 22 years' later~~to the day~~the Peace and Joy I felt at that moment~~would end in a heartache no parent should ever have to face.
