On This Day...I Remember

On this very day in 1996, I gave birth to our beautiful daughter, Abigail Grace. We, of course, call her Abby. She entered the world at 3:15 PM at Huntsville Hospital in Alabama. It was pure love at first sight. I remember sitting on the hospital bed and just holding her for hours. I'd stroke her head and whisper sweet nothings to her all day long. I could hardly believe she was ours!

You see, our being able to have Abby was quite a journey. About a year after Brittany was born(4 1/2 years before Abby), I suffered two miscarriages within a 9- month period. It was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through, and something I'll never forget.

After my miscarriages, we underwent two years of unexplained infertility. Chris and I had all sort of tests to determine what was going on. I was told I most likely had a condition called Anti-Phospholipid Antibody Syndrome. With this condition, the mother's body sees the fetus as being a foreign object and it fights hard to reject it, resulting in a miscarriage. Also, the blood is somewhat "sticky" and clots easily. I even had our fertility doctor tell me that Brittany was probably very fortunate to have made it full-term, as she weighed only 5 lbs. at birth.

The course of treatment for me was to take a baby aspirin everyday during my entire pregnancy with Abby. That made me uneasy, but I trusted my doctor and I had a lot of faith in God. She was born perfectly healthy at 6 lbs. 15 oz. Her middle name is Grace because we knew had it not been for the grace of God , we wouldn't have had her.

Abby has been such a blessing to us since that day. She's filled our lives with laughter and joy. She has grown into such a caring person, always looking out for those less fortunate than herself. She has one of the sweetest and most tender hearts I've ever known. I can't tell you the times she's written me a note or drawn me a picture just to add a bright spot to my day. One that I have in a frame was written when she was 7 years old. She wrote, "To Mom: I think my mom is the coolest. She helps me when I'm sick and hungry and afraid. When I'm crying, she wipes my tears. I love her so so so much!" I will treasure that forever. She often comes over to me and hugs my neck or gives me a kiss without even having to ask.

She is growing up, it seems, in the blink of an eye and I find myself wanting to shout, "Stop and stay just as you are!" Of course, I realize that's never going to happen. I think it's the fact that she's my baby, my very last child to raise. There will be no more after her...only grand babies to spoil rotten someday.

So, for now, I'll relish in the time I have to enjoy her and watch her evolve into a beautiful young woman. I can't believe that God chose me 12years ago to become Abby's mom! I feel blessed, humbled, and so very thankful for such a wonderful gift...the best I could have ever received!

I love you, Abby!! Happy, Happy Birthday!!!

You will always be my baby...


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I remember telling my brother, Kevin, that Abby, his second niece, was going to be born on his birthday! He was so excited! What are the chances of that happening? It was pretty amazing and, yet, one more reason to celebrate.

Kevin was 10 years old than me. We weren't particularly close when I was growing up because, by the time I was 7 or 8 years old, he was out of the house and doing his own thing. Sadly, I have very few memories of him when I was younger, but I always felt protected by him. I do remember him giving me a pearl ring for my 9th birthday. I wore it with pride and I still have it to this very day. I, also, recall demanding that he turn off Star Trek so that I could watch Gilligan's Island after school. He'd usually give in to my request. Such is life with a little sister, I guess. Not very fair, but true.

Kevin and I didn't form a really close bond and friendship until I was much older. In fact, he's the one who set up the blind date I went on and met my husband. I remember Kevin walking in the room and telling me, "Little sis, you might be getting a phone call from someone soon." He had that sheepish grin on his face, which made me question what he was up to. Well, apparently, he had very good taste because Chris and I were engaged only 3 short months after our blind date, and we've been married almost 19 years. Crazy, huh?

After I got married, Kevin moved to Virginia to work. He'd call me nearly every day after he got home from work. We'd talk about anything and everything, just like two best friends. He was a great listener and offered me some of the best advice when I needed it. We shared a lot of laughs together; he had a great sense of humor. Over the years, we formed a very strong relationship. We loved each other, and respected our differences.

Well, in late 2001, Kevin began to lose weight rapidly and he was having a hard time eating. It wasn't long, thereafter, that he was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer. It was a hard blow for us all, particularly after losing my mom only about a year earlier.

Kevin underwent radical surgery to have his stomach removed, but he was such a trouper. He fought hard to remain as positive and strong as he could. Unfortunately, though, he lost his battle in the summer of 2002. He was only 47 years old.

I miss Kevin so much. I miss his laughter, his friendship, and his kind-hearted ways. He taught me more than he'll ever know. He showed me how to live life to the very fullest and to never be afraid to take chances. He made me realize that life is for living right here and now, and not putting it off until tomorrow. His zest for life was contagious.

So, Kevin, Happy Birthday! I know you're in heaven surrounded by Mom, Dad, and other family members who've gone on before. I will never forget you and what you gave me during your short time here. You were, and always will be, a blessing to me. I'm so proud to have been your sister! I love you!

Until we meet, again...