Modern Medicine. When I was in my first year at college, my Dad nearly had a heart attack... I say nearly because my mom, a nurse, recognized some serious red-flag symptoms my dad was experiencing and insisted he go to the hospital immediately! He had major blockage and needed stents put in. That was a critical turning point in my family's life: the start of a complete diet overhaul and regular checkups with a cardiologist. It's been almost 15 years, but despite eating right and keeping his weight and cholesterol down, the family genetics keep trying to stop his heart; my dad's mother fell victim to heart disease when my dad was only 20.
My Husband and my Dad hamming it up last
Thanksgiving.
Just recently, at one of his checkups, they found another blockage and they quickly put in yet another stent! I spoke to him shortly after the procedure and we waxed philosophical about how lucky we are to live in an age where medicine really can save lives. Had the technology been around 40 years ago, my Grandmother might still be alive.
Naturally, I adore my Dad -- as most daughters do. He's the one of the smartest, handiest, most incredible men I know!! I am eternally grateful that he's still with us and I hope he enjoys many more fulfilling years thanks to modern medicine!
When I was a little girl, I had an imaginary husband (named John) and we had 5 imaginary kids. I have no idea why I had so many imaginary children, but hey, I was a 4-year-old! However, somewhere between my early youth and adulthood I changed my tune. If you had asked me 5 years ago whether I wanted kids, the answer would have been a resounding, "Not now! Maybe not ever, so don't bug me!"
I don't know what made me decide it was time... Perhaps it was my biological clock, or my aging parents and in-laws, or Lord knows what else! Now, here I am, 27 weeks pregnant (as of April 24th), and I'm still a little freaked out about becoming "Mommy" in a few short months. I love kids, don't get me wrong, but I don't consider myself the maternal type. And unlike most of my friends, the thought of myself in the role of Mom never factored into my dreams of the future.
I partially blame this ambivalence toward parenthood on the fact that I am an only-child. I never really HAD to grow up! Then, consider the fact that my husband is also (technically) an only-child. We're lucky we decided to get pregnant at all! Having a kid means that we can't just take care of ourselves alone. We must now switch our focus to our new little family member, and curb some of our selfish Peter-Pan tendencies. No easy task for someone who at-heart still feels like she's 15!
So, I'd like to think that there's at least some room for me to be a good parent and still be a big kid. Please tell me there is, because obviously there's no turning back now. :)
