I awoke today unsure of how I’d approach today’s Slice of Life, until the universe spoke. I received an email update for Ona’s blog, with her post for today entitled “What is 22?” Turns out she and I both have humans turning 22 today: yet another thread that ties us. Please, please, go and read her post today. It’s beautiful, and moving, and I wish I had written a tribute as gorgeous as this one.
I wanted to make today’s post a walk back through different birthdays and how I’ve seen my amazing son grow, but words took me in a different direction. Last year, he was in a different position, an incredibly difficult one. So I’m guessing my heart’s still looking for those words. Instead, then, is a day-you-were-born story. It’s the tribute to 22 my fingers would let me write:
Twenty-two years ago today, exactly on your due date, I walked to the bookstore. I was having contractions, but already had false alarms twice already. Walking, supposedly, would tell me whether I was really in labor or not.
And I wanted the contractions to (finally!) be real. Maybe it’s because I was SO READY to HAVE THIS KID ALREADY. You were my second, and you were being stubborn. Believe me, I tried everything to get you out of me: long showers, going strawberry picking, you name it.
So I trudged to the bookstore, and picked up my hot-off-the-press copy of Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix. The conversation at the register:
Clerk, admiring my beyond-sizeable bump: “Ooh! When are you due?”
Me, starting to regret the long walk, half-joking: “What time ya got?”
Within five minutes of leaving the store, I began second-guessing my decision to take such a long walk. This was CLEARLY labor. And I was farther from home than I wanted to be. I called your dad to let him know. And I can’t remember how (or if!) I made it home, but I do remember that ride to the hospital being the longest and most uncomfortable one in the history of the human race.
Two and a half hours later, there you were. In your own time. On your own terms. There wasn’t a single thing I could do to bring you into this world other than wait to be ready until you were.
And just like pretty much any kid I’ve known, you’ve changed both none and entirely. How is it possible that you can be completely familiar and unrecognizably different at the same time?
We’ve giggled uncontrollably together. We’ve debated about life, things, whatnot. We’ve had fun. We’ve been. Through. IT. And here we are at 22.
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 
Another post on a child that is 22. I can’t think back that far for my children so enjoy the time of your child’s young adulthood. You did quite a good job with this post.
What a great slice of a big moment. I can sense your humor and voice throughout this story. I also love that you wrote it in the second person. Going to check that other post now!
Love the pic of you and your 22 year old and this glimpse you gave us of the day he was born!
I love that it was a ealk to a bookstore where you purchased HP that got the labor started. I hope you read-aloud some of that book to him!! Haha. Lovely story and now over to read Ona. How fun. This November, we had a 6th grade teacher and an office secretary deliver at the same hospital on the same day! Last week they brought their babies to school for the last day. So fun to have connections!! And Congrats on being a mom to a 22-yr old!! Well done!
How quickly time flies when we don’t want it to. I would say you had a very satisfying (?) day. A new book and a new son. Happy Birthday to your young man.
This is beautiful. I love the birth-day story — and can’t believe you walked so far that just 2 and a half hours at the hospital he was born. Good job, mama! My 22 year old was 9 days late … so all my walking was done in the hospital after an induction . . .so many times around the hallways.
The part that I love the most out of this amazing piece is where you are talking about how our kids have changed all the ways and none of the ways – it’s just so true.
Love that we have this connection!