Jenny and I are the same age. We both have red hair and tempers that match. The daughter of my Dad's favorite brother, we spent Christmas and summers together. When we were little, time seemed to know no limit or structure. It flew by like so many childhood days. We ignored my little sister (sorry Mags) and had our own special world together. She had a big 4 poster bed in her room with ruffly bedspread and a picture of ballet shoes on her wall. On Sunday she curled her hair with hot rollers and always had a huge bow on the back of her head. She was the greatest.
When we got older we would laugh. We'd laugh those crazy, "I'm not really sure why I'm laughing but I just can't control it" kind of laughs. The laughter that now drives me up the wall and makes me wonder how our parents could stand to be around us. 13 year old girl laughter can be so hard to bear. It was kind of laughter that rarely comes over me anymore. Unbridled is the best way I can describe it.
After high school we drifted. Our paths shifted underfoot. While the physical distance between us shrank the gulf between us grew. I don't think I've spoken to her face to face in a few years. Worse yet, I don't think I've thought of her since I got married. It's shameful and embarrassing for me. Someone who claims to hold friendships and relationships dear.
This weekend I heard she was pregnant and was overjoyed. But, the same breath that delivered this astoundingly wonderful news held words that choked my throat and stilled the flutter of my heartbeat. Words like "hospital" and "2 months premature" and "possible death" entered my ears, but did not compute.
Is this really happening to the girl whose face was the closest reflection of my own I've ever had? When did growing up get so hard?
UPDATE: My mom called me this morning to let me know that she'd delivered her little baby in an emergency c section and they are both stable. Little Grace weighs 4 lbs and is in an incubator. Jenny is hanging in there. Keep your fingers crossed.
Monday, August 18, 2008
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8 comments:
I'll say a prayer for her!
To one and all; At this point everyone is holding their own...
Grace has beautiful brown hair and has all ten fingers and toes. She is the latest blessing in the life of all who know her.
Katezmom
Ugh. I'm sending good thoughts to mom and baby. Two months early is a lot, but definitely within reason these days (yay doctors!), which I have plenty of anecdotal evidence to back up.
So come on, FIGHT mamma!!
And FIGHT baby!!
You can do it!!!!
This entry reminds me so much of my relationship with a close childhood friend. We recently got back in touch, but somehow I'm still so nervous to meet up with her. I think I'm afraid that we've drifted too far, and I cherish the memories we built as children together. I want to remember her THAT way, not as the person I'm afraid she has become.
Does that make sense?
Sending prayers her way.
Praying for her! Two months does sound terribly early, and four pounds sounds very small, but babies born at that gestational age have a nearly 100% chance of survival in this country. I'm sure they're both going to be just fine.
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and kindness. Jenny's dad is my little brother who I love and adore. We went to college together, lived together in our first house, he even dated my wife's sister but that didn't work out.
You hate to see your children suffer and experience challenges and even wish you could take those challenges on yourself, but you can't.
Little Grace is doing very well and so is her mother. If you knew Jenny's mother you would know Jenny would be alright if given a fighting chance.
here is the true-to-life story: mosesstone1980.blogspot.com
I don't want to perpetuate anything untrue.
Thanks for the kind words.
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