Grandbaby Harrison is Born!

Anticipating the birth of a child is right up there in the top 10 list of anxiety-producing experiences for a grandmother! And when you know that the baby is really big or really small, the anticipation accelerates!

I was beside myself this morning anticipating the birth of our third grandchild, Harrison Charles Meek! Our son Brian and daughter-in-law Brooke arrived at the hospital at the top hour of today at 1AM. Anticipating that things would be well moved along, I spent a near-sleepless night at the hotel and finally got in the shower to calm myself down around 6AM. Brian called around 8A...I couldn't grab the phone fast enough. All my overnight worries were for naught as we learned that it had taken awhile to check Brooke in and they had just started some light labor. Brian texted us again around 10AM to say that the contractions were stronger. I couldn't contain myself, so Ted, Kyle and I went to see a movie to try and distract me.

Then the beautiful news came! Around 12:35p, Brian texted us baby Harrison's picture and he had arrived...10 lbs, 9 oz...that's right folks...a veritable walking, talking toddler emerged to greet the world at 22 inches long and healthy as can be! Mom too! Brooke was entertaining our 'first greeting' bunch an hour later and looking amazingly good for having birthed such a boy!

I thought I did a good job containing myself in the darkness of the theater, but Kyle later shared that my sobs were 'audible' and he feared a bigger scene! I know one thing...I have no clue how "Up in the Air" ended, so if someone knows, please clue me in. I was too busy being excited to care!

So welcome Harrison! Let's hope 2010 greets your birth with lots of good news!

P.S. No close-up pic's yet...Mom will say the word when baby Harry can be viewed!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

My talented nephew, Gavin Mikhail, sent his beautifully recorded song to us this morning! I'm not that talented, but my wish is as warm for all...to savor the peace and joy that is Christmas. My favorite night of the whole year is tonight...the world has slowed way down and families gather in their homes doing all the last minute preparations for Christmas morning. Most are attending services to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus. Many families celebrate on Christmas Eve with dinner and gift exchanges.

Believe it or not, this is Ted's and my first Christmas ever to not be at home in Indy! Also, our first Christmas without Joel, who we now appropriately are sharing with the Chien family as they celebrate in California. So we're in a new chapter of life, starting new holiday traditions!

We will take my 98-year-old mother to dinner and Eve services at her church this evening. Our 'sleigh' is packed and ready to take off for St. Louis to pick up Kyle at the airport Christmas morning traveling in from NYC, then off to Brian & Brooke's for brunch and fun, then to spend Christmas evening with Brooke's family. The best part is that we will welcome a new grandson soon (!!) as Brooke is imminent to have Harrison any time now. Parker and Finely will be so fun this year, so we're so excited to get there to be with them all! I promise pictures of the new babe and Parker and Fin in action as soon as we can!

Whatever your traditions, my wish is that you have a blessed Christmas...filled with all you love most!

Awaiting Newborn Babies!

I am struck by the fact that I literally have the birth of Harrison and the health of Brooke, our new grandson and daughter-in-law, on my mind nearly every moment of the day. But something hit me last night as I was watching a Christmas show on TV.

My how things have changed from the birth of Jesus, to the birth of our three sons and now to the birth of Harrison...and yet, how certain things about it all have stayed the same.

The Knowing: Mary didn't know she was pregnant until an angel appeared to tell her. I had to wait nearly six weeks to know via a test that I had to take into the hospital. Now Brooke knew about eight whole minutes later...that she was pregnant right at home. And yet, I remember the sense of wonder I'm sure we all had at first finding out...a little anxious at what's ahead, very aware of all the plans that now have changed as a result, yet very appreciative of the miracle that is now growing inside us.

The Growing: Can you imagine Mary and Joseph...how they stressed over telling people as Mary became visibly pregnant? One can only imagine the stress on Mary as Jesus grew in her womb. And like the ancient couples of long ago, Ted and I didn't have any idea how our babies were doing in utero except for hearing heartbeats and feeling movement flutters, all of which were so cherished. Now, Brooke and Brian heard Harrison's heartbeat so early...we have a detailed ultrasound picture of him already on our 'frig and now already know he weighs ALOT and his head is big like his MiMi's head. We've been calling him by name for months now and feel as if we know him! And yet, the similarities of cherishing every movement, every indication that your growing baby is okay are all feelings we Moms have had in common since the birth of man on this earth.

The Waiting: Mother Mary had no idea when she was 'due'. So much so, that they took off on a donkey trip unaware that Jesus would be on his way and born in a manger. By the time we had our sons, the doc's could give you a good sense of the due date, but I blew by those dates with all three sons...10 days late with Kyle, 14 days late with Joel, 29 days late with Brian. I'm sure Brooke is as sick as I was at hearing people ask "Haven't you had that baby yet?" And yet, we all have this sense of heightened watchful waiting...the expectancy...and yes, the anxiety of wondering when and how this newest little one will arrive.

The Birthing: Can you imagine delivering in the midst of smelly hay and farm animals, outside, without any nursing or physician help? What must have been going through Mary's mind as she labored and delivered? And Joseph too...how worried he must have been? With our three, birthing was still a 'medical procedure' without any of the frills we see today...it was a big deal to have Ted with me instead of in a waiting room. When Brooke had the twins, we were amazed at the amenities in the room...beautiful decor, laboring and birthing all from the same bed, and the twins early newborn care completed right in the same room with all of our watchful eyes upon the nurses, who skillfully cared for them with Brian's help in bathing and swaddling the babes. The amazing miracle of birth is that it happens in all circumstances across the globe...in luxurious surroundings or humble habitats.

The Celebrating: Can you hold a newborn babe and not feel joy? As the shepherds and then wise men were led by the star, they came to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus...amazed at the sight of Him! Ted and I made old-fashioned telephone calls to announce the birth of our sons and many came to view them through the glass of the hospital nursery...no one allowed to touch the babes until we came home some three days later. Now we blog and text and tweet pictures of the babes moments after their birth for the waiting world to see...across the miles...across the globe. We thankfully hold and love these babes right away and adore the touch of their soft and perfect newborn skin.

So many differences across the span of time, yet so much is the same. We are in awe of newborn life and of the potential therein! To you dear Brooke...may you be healthy and strong throughout the waiting, birthing and celebrating! And to you, Baby Harrison...we can't wait to hold you and celebrate your birth! And to you Lord Jesus...thank you for coming to save the world. Happy Birthday!

Appreciating Teachers!

I finally finished grading papers yesterday and now have all my grades turned in for this semester! I can't tell you how happy I feel to have a bit of a break over the holidays. I have several friends and family members who are teachers and so for years, I've watched and listened to them go through the same end-of-semester, can't-wait-for-a-break saga that I'm now going through. I get them now...completely.

You love your teaching, but it takes a lot of energy to be a great teacher. You get involved with your students. The good students are a breath of fresh air, sailing along with nothing more than an 'attaboy' or 'attagirl' here or there. The middle of the bell curve all need a bit of encouragement, a tip here or there...but with the right mix of 'push' and help, they make it. Then there's always 1 or 2 at the other end of the bell curve. They struggle and you can tell most of these folks have never had the kind of success that encourages them. Most have very low self-esteem or lots of life context complications. So these are the folks that take lots more energy. Most have good hearts and good intentions...they just need lots more help. When they respond...it's oh so satisfying!

So I'm still working...have some meetings to attend rest of week, but then...for the first time since 1986...what is that? 23 years? I'll actually be completely off the few days before Christmas! How delicious is that?

So for all the teachers reading this blog...I really appreciate your years of energy for your students! Have a great Christmas break before you begin all over again!

A Year Ago Today

A year ago today, like many women, I went in for my annual mammogram. I gowned up and endured the usual 'squishing'. I was then taken into another room for an ultrasound, routine for me given the prior sightings of various dense areas. The technician would pause now and again, going over certain areas more carefully...again, something I was used to. She then said..."I'm going to have Dr. Schmidt take a look at this area...she often does that, no need for concern." So Dr. Schmidt came in and once again, carefully performed her testing while watching the ultrasound screen.

So then Dr. Schmidt asked me to sit up and spoke words I'll never forget. She wanted me to stay that day and have a MRI and then said that she wanted me to have a biopsy right away and that even if the results came back negative, she wouldn't believe it. It took a moment for her words to sink in, but her message was clear...I had cancer. Her wisdom was later confirmed with the MRI later that day, and then a biopsy on the 16th and the path report on the 17th. Then the whirlwind of emotion and activity began for our entire circle of close family and friends over the Christmas holiday with my lumpectomy on the 29th.

I admit that I'm having trouble putting my reflections into words as I sit here a year later. Mostly I feel. I feel thankful for Dr. Schmidt's diligence. Thankful for the many researchers and doctors who make fighting cancer their life's work (including my daughter-in-law-to-be Jo), thus affording me much better treatment strategies than were present a decade ago. Thankful that I had the very best of care from Drs Schmidt, Goulet, Miller and Andrews.

But ever so thankful for the loving care I received from Ted, Kyle, Joel, Brian, Brooke and Jo. Thankful for the thousands of prayers sent up on my behalf. Thankful for the hoards of cards, vacation retreats, meals, emails, calls, visits, gifts, races walked on my behalf, and love received from family and friends, in fact from many of you who still read this blog, that made all the difference in my recovery.

So more to mark this day and help me remember, so that I can help and encourage others, the thing that has surprised me the most is that the journey is still ongoing. I don't have the energy levels I'd like to have as of yet...making progress, but not there yet. In all honesty, I feel good about 2 days a month, which are cherished days indeed. I still need to take Aromatase for 4 1/2 more years each morning, a drug that I'm grateful for, but will be happy to finish. I will continue to go in for IV Zometa treatments every 3 months until May of 2012. In short, I have a ways to go. Many survivors I talk to say that it took them 18 months to 2 years beyond the completion of treatment to truly feel recovered. As much as I hate to think about that, I now understand how much the body needs to do to recover from surgery, chemo and radiation.

On the positive side, the cancer was caught early. I can't implore you enough ladies...despite the craziness of the recent change in screening guidelines...go get your annual exam! I am so blessed to live near a major cancer center...once again, get to the right place for treatment! Most of all, I am blessed with a strong faith and an army of people that care about me. It was indeed the greatest blessing of all, to feel that love so strongly this past year.

For all of the above, I celebrate today!

Refuse the Rush of Christmas!

I for one am making a vow, right here and now, to refuse to miss the true meaning of Christmas, because I got caught up in the rush of Christmas. We are pressured from all sides...magazines show us the very best ways to decorate, bake and wrap; morning TV is constant in its ideas for best gifts; cyber-shopping ads pop on every screen. Yet, despite every reason to feel rushed myself...I refuse to do so.

I have two more weeks of non-stop papers to grade and student meetings and grants to get submitted and faculty meetings galore. So it won't be until around the 15th before I can really focus on preparations. But when I do, I will revel in each part of our glad tidings. So even though I'll not get voted "Best Whatever" by Martha and her gang, I'll not forget to love the joy, peace and contentment that is the true meaning of celebrating the birth of Christ and celebrating with those I love most!