In the first wee hours of the morning

20 Feb

In the first wee hours of the morning 44 years ago, I was but a newborn baby.

I tossed and turned in utero—probably clenching my little jaw and grinding my baby gums and worrying about life and how I was going to live it—until I got myself all upside down and backward and unable to move forward.

After considerable cajoling, I finally wriggled my way along the natural path. But I didn’t suffer the world easily. Not even born and already set in my ways.

The forceps yanked me from safe comfort and into the harsh cacophony of life. My forcible journey riddled my tiny face with tiny scratches that are now tiny scars along my hairline. Not even a minute old and already flawed.

I perfected my scowl within the first hour, then impatiently demanded to know what the next hour held. I strained against the swaddling blanket—annoyed that the stripes were not aligned—and waited patiently to be a grownup, set loose upon the world to make it mine, against the odds of my self-doubt. Not even hours old and already seeking happiness.

In the first wee hours of the morning 44 years ago, I was already me.

9 Responses to “In the first wee hours of the morning”

  1. Ma Bell February 20, 2010 at 4:56 AM #

    I’m glad you’re you. Happy birthday.

  2. Christine February 20, 2010 at 10:43 AM #

    Happy sunny birthday morning to you! :-)

  3. Lornet February 20, 2010 at 11:19 AM #

    I was there 44 years ago. And yes, you have always been you. I have always admired you for that,been awed by that, a few times frustrated by that, but always always proud of you! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Love you!

  4. Carol Allen Anfinsen February 20, 2010 at 3:28 PM #

    Happy Birthday, Kelly! Makes me wonder what my entrance might have been like? I certainly have a lot of flaws, and my mother always wished I’d have a child just like me, so I must have been pretty feisty. Oh to be 44 again!

  5. bethany February 20, 2010 at 3:40 PM #

    Happy Birthday #44 Kel!

  6. Auntie Shirley February 20, 2010 at 5:33 PM #

    Hope this day is as grand as you are and please continue with your wonderful writing and wonderful ways . Love and hugs —So glad I was there to witness that entrance into life.

  7. Melanie February 20, 2010 at 6:15 PM #

    Happy birthday, Miss Kelly! Happy chilly sunny morning that was… a big hug to you.

  8. Jen February 21, 2010 at 4:50 PM #

    See the perfect Sorry Gardener. Happy Birthday.

    Jen

  9. Herb and Nancy February 27, 2010 at 3:43 AM #

    It’s never too early to seek happiness, dear heart. You have given much happiness too. Think of all the smiles and pleasure everyone is enjoying as we look forward to reading your blog…which, just get better with each entry!!
    Nancy and Herb

Comments are closed.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.