The First Day Of Spring

The first day of spring reminds me of all the firsts in our lives.  Today is the birthday of my sisters first and only child. I know how long she waited for a child. She was so careful about everything she ate, drank and did. As she got larger and closer to her due date she called on our sister that had already had children to alleviate any fears. My sister and I were living nearby in Gaithersburg, Maryland, since her husband had been transferred there from Delaware. Everything was going perfectly. I was close if she needed anything, while her husband traveled for his company and she was not due until the first of April. So, I went to Connecticut to visit our mother on the 15th of March, for a week. My brother in law went to Connecticut at the same time for a weeks training. My good friend, Dotti, who was single and had no children was our on call person in Gaithersburg I am sure you can guess where this is going. The baby did not know about our perfect planning and her due date. We forgot to clue her in to the plans. Early morning on the 20th, my sister called  to say her water broke. Oh, crap! There is nothing we can do from Connecticut so Dotti is called. Dotti rushes over to my sisters apartment in a panic. This is the first baby for both.  Now the fun starts. My sister decides to take a shower..Dotti is screaming "Are you crazy? We have to drive to Bethesda to your hospital in rush hour!" My sister thinks there is plenty of time. She cleans up, dresses  and packs while Dotti wrings her hands and paces., because she knows what rush hour is...bumper to bumper traffic and back ups for miles and miles. Finally they get into the car. Dotti speeds off to get onto the beltway. Every time my sister had a contraction, Dotti would scream "I'll drive down the grass, just let me know...I'm on it!" Dotti hunched over the steering wheel and weaved in and out of traffic at warp speed. She kept saying, "I'm not delivering this baby....NOOOOWAY. I cannot stand the sight of blood. I'll pass out. PLEASE do not have this baby now." Slowly they made it exit by exit and a short hour later they arrived  at Suburban Hospital, Bethesda Maryland. Dotti pulls up to the emergency room yelling we have a pregnant lady here and the baby's coming! Hours later my sister is still having contractions. Much stronger,painful ones..ones that could have forced her to kill anyone asking her HOW ARE WE DOING! Dotti is amazed that after her Daytona 500 baby run that morning,no baby. So she leaves for work. Later that evening my brother in law arrives and so does their first and only child...a girl. So the first day of spring has many wonderful memories, but this one is always the first and best on the list ,even now 32 years later.   P.S. This is also my first blog! A new memory to add to the list.