I remember feeling such fear of the unknown and still so excited to meet this beautiful little person that was growing inside me.
It was a crazy time, John was on notice to go on exercise within days and if I didn’t have our baby before the date he was set to go - too bad - he would have to leave and I would have to have this baby on my own. I was already overdue by a few days and really didn’t think anything was going to happen so I started to panic a bit. But then it did - 5 days before he had to go)…labour started around lunch time so of course I made John take me out for lunch “Pizza" (I was going on a diet after the baby was born - of course). At first it wasn’t too bad…we went walking and then finally around 8pm I pretty much had enough and we had to go the hospital. All I can say is … for a shy girl this was unbelievable…they don’t care - and once the whole world has checked your cervix which was only at 4 cm (which needs to be 10 cm to actually give birth) - lets just say you just roll with it.
Through the next 4 hours John and I spent time walking and watching boxing. At one point I said I didn’t want to do this anymore and in regular John style he said “Ok lets go”.
Well then things really started to happen - my body took over and we started to bring our beautiful Sarah into the world….I remember seeing the look of helplessness on John’s face during this time - because he couldn’t really help me…I know if he wouldn’t have been there I still could have done it but with him there I felt strong and able with no fear and I am so glad he was there to greet our baby girl.
She arrived at 12:35am on June 13, 1981 − just under 7 lbs she was wrinkly, purple and screaming - John counted her fingers and toes and kept saying how beautiful and perfect she was. I got to look at her, kiss her and then they took her away. I didn’t get to see her for another 8 hours. I remember feeling instant love and scared - where did they take her, was she ok…and lonely after John left to go call everyone and go home to sleep. I was was hungry - when they bring you back to your room they feed you…ah the toast, honey and orange juice…best ever.
Then the strange things your body goes through after having a baby start… thats another story…
After a restless sleep...finally I get to meet my baby girl!!
Down the hall came this rather large nurse carrying what looked like a football - but it was Sarah tightly bound in a blanket. She handed her to me and said “YOU ARE NURSING CORRECT” I feel at this point even if I wasn’t I would have - she was quite intimidating. I meekly said “Yes” - then she took ahold of my breast and proceeded to assist me…I still want to throw up when I think about it…I was 19 years old and this was completely invading my space but we had to do it. Again…they don’t care it is just a body part and they have a job to do.
Through the pain of learning to nurse I finally got to look into the blue eyes of my beautiful baby girl who really was a Sarah “Princess”. My heart overflowed with more love than I ever thought possible.
When John came in to see us - his face expressed such pride, joy and unconditional love. You were our daughter. Sarah you were born to be my friend and have fulfilled your destiny in that regard more than you will ever know - but your destiny far exceeds being my friend you were born to be a child of God, a worshiper, a friend to many, a leader, a wife, and most of all a mother.
The journey of your life has been an honour to be apart of - I love being her mother and her friend. The moments are many from your learning to walk, to talking and bossing us all around, kindergarten, horses, the painful teenage years, working together, the heart breaks, the joys, the wedding, the birth of Jack, watching to be a parent, our journey to the Death Race and beyond…I look forward to all our new adventures.
Sarah Elizabeth Riley I love you more than I can ever express and am so proud to be your mother. The day of your birth was the first of my many best days ever!!!
I thank God everyday for you.
