Why did I start blogging?

Because I have a bad memory.

The truth behind the bad memory is a rough childhood with an alcoholic father and a coping mechanism that stays with me to this day.

Things have gotten better as an adult and I certainly don’t have any problems functioning in my life – but details… well, they just slip away. And 15 years ago I met the most amazing man, who brought so much sunshine into my life… and 5 years ago, we made a baby together… and I was tired of those details slipping away.

So I started blogging.

So I could remember everything. The good, the bad, the ups, the downs, the funny, the I can’t believe we lived through that moments.

I talk about world events on my blog as well, because it interests me, and it gives a framework for the life we are living.

I am not sure Declan will ever want to read all the things I have written about his childhood, or appreciate the details I have shared with the world – but to me they are moments in time I just don’t want to forget.

Like the day little Avery was born…

The Miracle of Birth

How does one deal with the ultimate good news and the most tragic bad news all at the same time?

My oldest friend Dana and her husband Chris were due with their second child any day now. So when I saw their name on the caller ID last night, I started jumping up and down, knowing that baby girl was here! I put the voicemail on speakerphone for us all to listen to and indeed their little girl Avery was born on Wednesday (7 pounds 4 ounces). However, there are problems and she has Down’s Syndrome and 2 heart defects that will require open heart surgery. They will be transferring her to another hospital for the cardio specialist to care for her and in the meanwhile she is in the NICU… they are taking it day by day.

By the end of the message, I needed to sit down and my sweet little Declan immediately put his hand on my hand because he could tell I was so upset. He asked what the message meant and we explained to him that Dana’s baby girl was born and we were so very excited about that, but that she was born sick, so we were worried about little Avery.

Later after Declan was in bed, I shed a few tears on Bryan’s shoulder and said… “It breaks my heart what a hard road they are going to have.” And my ever-inspirational husband said, very simply, “Not necessarily.” Meaning – just like Declan, Avery may have a rough start but after a few hard knocks, she’ll prove what a kick-ass kid she is and take on the world with a fierceness of a tiger cub. And yes, while it will probably never be easy for Dana and Chris, they will certainly have some of the most beautiful, joyous, amazing moments they never dreamed of before having a child with Down’s Syndrome. All things I would not have thought of until my Free Spirit husband reminded me that there is joy in pain. All things I would not have if my oldest friend Dana had not introduced me to Bryan and then convinced me that a Free Spirit was exactly what I needed in my life.

So, Dana and Chris… many many congratulations on the birth on your daughter Avery. I cannot wait to meet her.