August 28, 2014

After reading the topic for the final blog post, I struggled with trying to pick an adulthood memory that stood out to me most. I was sitting at a park close to my house and it hit me when I heard the soft cry of a little baby.

Being only nineteen, I don’t have very many “adult” experiences yet, but out of the few I HAVE had, there is one special memory that will stay with me forever. Once I heard that crying baby, it reminded me of when my sister had her first little one, a baby boy, Jackson Lee.

 Now, for a little bit of background on my family, I have two older sisters whom are both in their thirties and are married. My oldest sister out of the two, was blessed with having three beautiful children: Abby, Connor, and Shelby. Melissa, the younger one, was told that she could never give birth to a child and that it would be nearly impossible. However, she so desperately wanted to have children with her husband and she decided that it was up to her to try everything possible in order for her wish to come true.

 Sure enough, after multiple doctor visits and reassuring tests, she received the greatest news that she was indeed pregnant! … With TWINS. My family and I were all so joyous and ecstatic for them and their wonderful memories to come. It was a true miracle. I will never forget how happy we all were.

As maybe a month went on, some rather not such positive news came about and Melissa was informed that she had lost one of the twins.  Now remained a single baby inside.

 Knowing that the doctors said how hard and impossible the chances of her getting pregnant were, we knew there would be some complications. We did not know, however, how terrible or devastating they would be.

 After several prayers and an enormous amount of support, she held her head up high and focused on preparing to deliver that baby which we soon found out was a BOY, by taking excellent care of herself for that precious unborn child, whose name was to be Jackson Lee Sims.  

The complications still went on for months: Melissa’s body, the baby’s health, and MANY unexpected trips to the Hospital where she felt extreme pain as if she was going into labor. At this time, the baby was much too early to be born and the doctor was concerned about the result if she went into labor so soon.

 This gave everyone in the family, especially my sister, the feeling of worry while also desperate for hope and keeping a strong faith in God.

One specific night I can remember, when Melissa was finally told by the doctor that the baby was ready to come, my best friend, KateLynn, went with me to check on her at the Hospital. Not too long before we got there, I heard a nurse say that Melissa was trying to go into labor. That went on ALL night.

Too late to go get food in the cafeteria, Kate and I scrounged up all the change and cash we had to raid the yucky vending machines down the hall since we were starving. She, my niece, sister, mom, Melissa’s mother in law, father, and I all patiently sat in the waiting room for the official word that it was time.

We ended up staying there until 7 A.M. the next day. Let me repeat that. SEVEN A.M. She never went into actual labor that night.

“C’MON BABY JACKSON, LETS GET A MOVE ON” is what my oldest sister, Christy, kept shouting because let me just say, those hard leather couches in the waiting room certainly felt the way they looked when sleeping on them.

Finally, the VERY next day after we all went home, washed up, and got some rest, I received the phone call. THE phone call. Every one arrived once again, but this time, there would be a new addition later that day.

Once Melissa got her epidural, people began exiting the Hospital room to sit outside while she was in labor. I too, along with the others, slowly started making my way out when I heard Melissa call back that she wanted me to be there in the room with the other women and watch her have the baby. ........And. Watch. Her. Have. The. Baby.

I’m not so sure about other eighteen year olds, but watching someone conceive was NOT in my best interest. I choked up an, “Are you sure”, hoping one of the nurses would say there were too many people or something, but of course not and there I was about to witness a person giving birth for the first time in my LIFE!

Don’t worry, I’m not going to discuss any further details about the birth or anything like that, but I can honestly say that it was an amazing and unforgettable experience. THIS is what made me feel like an adult ever since I turned eighteen years old.

We all held hands with tears rushing down from our eyes as the first little cry of a new baby boy was born. Six pounds and fifteen point eight ounces. Nineteen and a half inches long. My perfect nephew, Jackson Lee, was born on August 28, 2014.

The whole experience changed who I was and has stuck with me ever since.

 Witnessing the birth of a child made me not only grow up, but it made me realize how precious life is and the power of an unconditional love. He was so tiny and yet weren’t we all once that tiny?

 I think often people take for granted their life and don’t appreciate it enough.

 This special memory sticks with me every day when I look around and see how today’s world is full of evil and hate. Then I am reminded of when I saw my nephew for the first time, when all I could feel was love and happiness.

 No matter what any mean thing someone had said to me prior to that moment, it didn’t matter anymore.

 I loved that baby more than anything. I loved my parents. I loved my sister and was so proud of her. I loved all of my other nieces and nephews. I loved all of the mean people in the world. I loved my LIFE. And most importantly, after truly witnessing a miracle and the birth of my beautiful nephew, I STILL do.

 I'm glad I never left the Hospital room.