32 years ago tonight, at just about this time, Barry kissed me goodbye and promised that he would be back early the next morning. I was scared. I wanted to cry when he left. I worried that something might happen and he wouldn’t be there.
It was a different time… a time when the thought of husbands staying with their wives in maternity wards overnight was incomprehensible. I was already in labor (my water had broken that morning while, of all times, teaching), but the stream of obstetricians who had been in and out all day all agreed that birth was not imminent and I would be induced early the next morning.
All of this was nothing as I had planned or imagined. This baby was due at the end of June. It was May 22nd. A Monday. The previous day had been my baby shower at my mother-in-law’s home and my mind was filled with the beautiful little things I had received but now sat in piles of boxes in the nursery that wasn’t nearly finished. I wondered what I had done to bring on this early labor… and remembered that my mother-in-law had scolded me several times during the previous day for carrying things up and down stairs. I remembered leaving her home that warm Sunday evening and seeing the beautiful moon in the sky. It was so full and close… and I remembered thinking that babies are born during full moons. I thought one more full moon until I held my new baby.
Not so. It seemed this full moon had other plans.
32 years later, I still remember walking to the window of my hospital room and looking up at the night sky. It was a lovely, warm May night and the window was open. And there was the moon. A Full Moon. A gloriously beckoning Full Moon. I knew there was something miraculous that drew me to this moon… something calming and blessed. It bathed me in its light and cast dancing shadows around the room. It was magical and childlike and innocent and wise all at the same time. I thought this is such a lovely gift… and I didn’t feel alone.
I watched that Full Moon for a long time, talking to my baby, feeling the fullness of the universe as it relates to a single new baby. I will always remember that Monday night in May.
I didn’t sleep much that night. And Barry came back very early on Tuesday morning, May 23rd. I was induced and I did labor all day long… until a decision was made to deliver by Cesarean. At 5:53 pm, with Barry by my side, our beautiful baby girl entered our lives, our arms and our hearts. Audrey Allison Couto. 4 lbs. 9 oz. and a bit over 17 inches. She was tiny, but perfect. Perfect…
There is not one moment of my life with Audrey that hasn’t been perfect. She has always been guided by something bigger than life, something larger than life, something Full and Light and Dancing. Like the Full Moon. Even as a small girl, Audrey loved looking at the night sky and the moon. She believes in the miracles and magic of the heavens and the universe.
I believe that Audrey is a miracle and the magic of the heavens and the universe and I feel blessed to be her Mom. I wish Audrey the most beautiful and blessed birthday ever… a day filled with light and love and dancing.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL! I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BEYOND!
Aww… Mom. This is the most beautiful post in the world. Thank you for this gift. I have always loved my birthday because you have always made it so special… as you have with this post. I love you to the moon and beyond. All the world… and then some. xoxo, Audrey
Oh My Goodness! What an awesome post. Happy Birthday Audry!
Wow, what a beautiful post, Happy Birthday Audrey!
Beautiful Sharon ! So wonderful that you and Audrey and Jane share such a wonderful relationship. Happy Birthday Audrey, I hope this year is filled with love, joy and peace and all that you’ve ever wanted. <3
So tiny!!!
Happy birthday, Audrey!
And happy mommy day, Sharon! 🙂
Beautifully said Sharon. HAPPY 32and BIRTHDAY AUDGE. I love you and hope that you have a wonderful day today. Let’s start with breakfast here! I have bacon to grill with your favorite pancakes!
This post is just precious! Happy Birthday!
What a truly gorgeous tribute to your beautiful daughter – you clearly share such a tremendous bond. (I’ll confess I teared up as I read!) Happy Birthday, Audrey – Happy Mother’sDay/Anniversary, Sharon!
Such love in every single word. You always know just what to say. Every night when I put Jake to bed, I ask him “How much does mommy LOVE you”? and he replies, “to the moon and beyond” and then I then I say to him, I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I’m living my baby you will be!!!
Best Birthday Wishes Audrey~ May your day be filled with Family, Friends, and Happiness……..
What a beautiful post and such a wonderful birthday gift to Audrey. I can’t help but adding that my Audrey was also born during a full moon – every bed was full and I wasn’t even aware that it was a full moon until a nurse rushed into my room to check on me and breathlessly remarked “it’s a full moon, we should have known to have more staff on hand.”
It is so much different today in birthing centers isn’t it? Sharong this post is so beautiful and touching.
Hope you all have a wonderful day celebrating Audrey’s big day!!
The love and pride that flows from your words when you write about your family is so wonderful. Once again, you have written the perfect post, the perfect gift for Audrey. Happy Birthday Audrey! I hope it is a perfect day.
What a gift this post is. Happy birthday to Audrey, and kudos to you on all you have done to create a family with such beautiful warmth and spirit!
Sniff, sniff — wiping the tears away to leave this comment. What a beautiful post, Sharon!
Soul balm, this post. Loved it SO much.
I’m so excited I get to spend time with her this week, to keep the celebrations going! 🙂
xoxo
What an amazing story. I cannot imagine being there alone, although I know it was a different time then, but it sounds like you had the comfort of the full moon and a baby who just couldn’t wait to be born.