Celebrating You!

How do I begin?  Where do I start?

Bittersweet moments of my own

retirement flash before me.  Two

letters in the mail this week reported

on retirements of two individuals

who have been an integral part of

our lives and family for almost

forty years.  Tempus fugit.

I will start at the beginning when

motherhood entered our lives.  A

bouncing baby boy (literally) and a

girl of uncommon beauty. (My Dad said so.)

Our nurse-midwife, Elaine, and her

physician-husband, Dr. Waldman, have

plans to retire at the end of this month.

But I thought they would be there forever!

Pregnant and several weeks along (unknown

to me at the time) Elaine informed me that

I was probably about 18 weeks along.  My

first test had been negative.  As I looked

at a small bulging stomach, I told myself it

was time to lose a bit of weight.  So, it came

as a shock to discover I was pregnant and

that far along!  Special vitamins.  I heard

our son’s heartbeat and marveled.  How

could I not have known?  My colleague asked

me this several times. No flutters?  No kicks?

She urged me to get a pregnancy test at the

pharmacy.  I did and then repeated it.  When

I asked my internist why the first test had been

negative, he didn’t have much of an explanation.

When I met Dr. Waldman, he said I was so

healthy, I could have ten children. My goodness!

So many special moments recalled at the

office when I went for checkups.  It will just

not be the same without seeing Elaine, giving

hugs and showing photos of our two as they

grew.  Healthcare professionals are dedicated

individuals whose chosen profession is

often difficult.  Getting up in the middle of

the night to deliver a baby who has decided

now is the time to enter the world.  Our daughter

was born about 4:20 AM.  I decided to let my

husband sleep a bit more this time and

finally awakened him at 3 AM.  No traffic on

the road but my sweetheart decided to stop

at red lights.  Feet on the dashboard, I yelled

to keep driving and ignore the lights.  When

we arrived, I waddled to the Birth Place,

part of the hospital made to look like a

home, and was immediately placed in the

first room.  I asked how much longer it

would be until the birth.  Nervous glances

between the nurses informed me that it

was a matter of minutes.  When our daughter

drew her first breath, I managed to see

who else was there: nurse-midwife, physician

husband and Director of the Birth Place

along with other nurses.  Our daughter already

had a devoted entourage.  I began this account of

the early moments of our lives with our two

integral part of our family. Now I will conclude that

our lives have been enriched beyond belief by

Elaine and Dr. Waldman (Rich).  They allowed

us to call the shots and personalize the care from

a Scrabble game as we awaited our son’s birth (No,

I did not feel the contractions!)  and the loving

adoration we felt holding our two and gazing at

them nonstop as all new parents do.  We are

overjoyed that these two professionals were an

important part of our lives when we needed them.

We love you and are in awe of you both.  Now,

travel and be with your children and grandchildren.

Dote on them just as you did us.  Enjoy your retirement

and know that your jobs were well done!  Bon

voyage.  Until we meet again.  Enjoy life!