Dear J.R.
Jan 26,1988, 2 weeks after my due date, weighing a hefty 189 pounds I gave birth to you. People asked me if I had any cravings during the pregnancy, and the answer was no, because I ate whatever I wanted. Peanut butter and chocolate were everyday staples, and that's probably why you love both so much.
You sentenced me to 12 hours of hard labor. I pushed so long, I broke the blood vessels in my eyes and my face was swollen twice it's size. I had been given an epidermal but it only numbed the right side of my body, unfortunately, the left side was in total agony. After all those hours of trying to get you to make your move, they wheeled me into the operating room and told me they were going to perform a c section. Yet, the doctor hesitated a moment and gave me one more chance to push before he made the incision. That's when you decided to make your entrance on this planet. I was exhausted and very scary looking, no wonder you cried when you saw me. I'm so glad I did not look in the mirror that evening.
Your big sister, aunts and uncles and grandparents all rushed to the hospital with flowers and balloons to say hello and welcome you to the family. I was literally in 7th heaven when I finally went to sleep, thanking God over and over again for giving me such a gift. Early the next morning a nurse woke me and asked me to sign a legal document. I was still a bit groggy, I had no idea what she was trying to tell me. They wanted permission to give you a spinal tap. You had developed a fever in the middle of the night. They had to find out why this happened. Your tiny arm was taped to a board so they could give you antibiotics. You were put in isolation and they would not let me hold you. It was a shocking turn of events, going from one of the happiest moments in my life to the lowest in such a short span of time.
I called your dad while the nurse stood there. I did not know if I should let them stick a big needle in your spine. It was a dangerous procedure. As usual, Dad remained calm and assured me we would get to the bottom of it, even if we had to take you to a specialist. When my phone started ringing that morning, I couldn't even talk to anyone.
You stayed in isolation for 5 days... that was almost as bad as waiting for the results. They had to grow a culture and test it everyday, At the end of that period they told me, not in these words exactly,but because you were so late in arriving, you took a little poop before you popped, and that is what caused your fever. I know what you are thinking at this moment...too much information Mom, yes, I know, sorry about that. We certainly said many prayers of thanksgiving. My father had even given up smoking, sort of a Catholic bargaining tactic with God, after trying unsuccessfully his entire life to quit. We brought you home on Super bowl Sunday. The very first time I changed your diaper, you got me right between the eyes. (2minfo again)
Your Father is the 6th Joe in a long line of boys in the Snyder family. I loved the name but your Dad hated it. He disliked being called Joey so much, he was willing to break the tradition. I thought I was pretty clever coming up with a great plan. His favorite character at the time was JR Ewing who appeared on the popular tv show, Dallas. I suggested we name you Joseph Ryan and call you J.R. (not junior)
However, I had absolutely no intention of calling you J.R. I just wanted to get Joseph on your birth certificate so I could call my little baby boy Joey and not break the long standing family tradition. Actually, your formal name is Joseph Ryan Snyder, but much to my surprise we never referred to you as anything other than J.R. When you went to kindergarten the teacher took attendance on the first day, and looked in your direction and said, " Joseph" you had no idea she was talking to you. Once you came home from school and told me how happy you were that we named you JR. Other kids had so many letters to learn, but you only had 2!
You were so adorable, so cute and funny and sweet. You had beautiful dark hair and big brown twinkling eyes. Joseph Ryan you were a homebody, who could entertain yourself for hours and hours with your cars and trucks, blocks, and ugly men. You loved to build all sorts of things and knock them down. Seems like you were always laughing and talking. Whenever Daddy came home from work he'd say, "Hi, How is my best buddy in the whole world?"
I've written countless poems and stories about your formative years. In short, you were a great student, wanted to be a lawn mower man when you grew up and had a million friends, loved to play basketball and ride your bike and you never went anywhere without the blanket Gram Ezzy made and your favorite stuffed animal Max. Samantha was born 2 days shy of 2 years after you and Kate followed 2 years after that. As the only boy in a houseful of girls, it sure wasn't easy on you, but your 3 sisters adored their brother and so did your grandparents and everyone else who ever met you.
Remember when you were trying to decide what high school to attend. Oh my, that's another story. You have always been a real gentleman, someone everyone respects. Your sense of humor is legendary. We have always been extremely proud of you. You are my sensitive child..
I wonder where you are at this very moment. You only have a 1/2 hour left to celebrate your birthday, No matter how hard I try, I can not believe you are 20 years old and a sophomore in college. Although I did not get to see you, you have been in my thoughts all day, actually, you are in my thoughts every single day.
Happy Birthday son.
Love,
Mom
| Views: 265
