9/10/10

Dear Mom,

I haven’t had a chance to officially tell you “Thanks” for Always coming to my rescue, and being there for me and my family. How do you say “Thanks” to someone that is always there whenever called upon? You always stop what you are doing and help out; whether it’s your family or friends. People tend to talk about how slow you are but you are always on time when you are needed.

I will never forget sitting in that hospital bed on June 29 talking to Aunt Sue on the phone when the doctors and nurses rushed into my room. One grabbed the phone and the other started trying to put something on my face.

I didn’t know what was going on. I kept asking, “What is this? What is this?” because I wouldn’t put it on. I thought maybe they had the wrong room and they were trying to put me under. I really wasn’t sure. Then finally the doctor told me it was oxygen, and my baby’s heart rate had dropped. I put the oxygen on and they kept turning me and finally it came back up.

That was the second time, and they said, “If it happens again we will have to take the baby.” I called Ronnie and told him what had happened, and then I called you. I’m not going to lie, that scared me. All those people rushing in and me not knowing what was going on.

Later that day, the doctor decided to take me off the monitor and give me break. When it was time to get back on, there was some confusion. The nurse said I would only be on 15 minutes to 1 hour every 8 hours. I don’t think so.

I told Ronnie, “We could be at home if that’s the case. What if the baby’s heart rate drops? We won’t know here at the hospital nor at home.” The nurse told us, “The doctor wants to give you some rest.” I said, “Rest ?! I have gone 8 months and I’m not going to risk my baby’s health for some rest now. I will rest when he gets here.” I told the nurse, “I need to speak with the doctor.” She said she had to call her after she took me off the monitor. “No you don’t understand. I need to talk to her now!”

Before I started to go off, I called you. Some people may say, “Why did you call your mom?” Well about a month before, my doctor had pissed me off so bad and I wanted to go flat off. You said, “Sheronda you don’t go off on the doctor that is going to operate on you.” so I decided to call you to see how to handle this situation.

I called and you said, “I’m out and about and it’s raining. I will have to call you back.” I was thinking, “Call me back, I need to talk to you now!” but I hung up and waited for that call. I turned over and started talking to Ronnie. The nurse came in to tell me the doctor was trying to get me on the phone.

Then my door opened again and there you were standing in my hospital door with your hands on your hips. I’m not sure about Ronnie but I know I was happy to see you. I knew Ronnie had everything under control but there is nothing like having two of your BFF’s there to support you.

You gave Ronnie the night off and we talked, watched TV and then went to bed. The next morning you went to get breakfast. Upon your return the doctor was in the room telling me that we were about to have a baby. You said, “A baby! What happened while I was gone?” They explained and then they went into emergency mode. You told them, “Ronnie is at work and we can’t have a baby until he gets here.”

They said, “Call him, because we are having a baby in 40 minutes.” I remember the anesthesiologist give me an epidural and after that being in the OR asking if Ronnie had made it and they said, “No but your mom is dressed if he doesn’t make it.” Then Ronnie walked in, and from there on, I don’t remember a thing until I woke up in recovery.

You have always been there. I remember when I was pregnant with Jon and they had to move my c-section date up, there you were in Atlanta waiting for your first grandchild to be born. Then Josh came and he had to stay in the hospital.

You don’t like the traffic here in Atlanta, but there you were driving me back and forth to the hospital while Ronnie was at work; sometimes twice a day. When my nerves were a wreck, you would say, “What do you want to do?” You would take me back to the hospital or call your BFF (Grandmother) and I would get back on track.

You have always been there for us. All I can say is “Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.” I wish I could give back what you have given me over the years; all your time, money and love. Every time I wanted something or needed something, you may not have had it, but you made it possible. When I think of you, I think of Celine Dion’s song Because You Loved Me.