It was a very cold December in 1981, when Julie Sarah decided she couldn’t wait to be born.
Mom was in her 8th month, still working at nearby Kapuler. She was having some minor contractions, but just shrugged them off because it was too early. Mom got home that evening and took a bath and relaxed with a glass of wine.
At 9:00 PM, I was leaving Harper College,after teaching my last class before winter break.
When I got home, I fully intended to catch up on my favorite TV show, Hill Street Blues. It didn’t happen.
No sooner then I came into our condo, then I heard some moaning from the bathroom.
Mom was already in labor and stuck in the tub. With some difficulty,I managed pry her out and help her get dressed. She was now having fairly strong and regular contractions, so we called her doctor and were advised to come to the hospital right away.
There was a slight problem. Mom wasn’t able to walk down the flight of stairs to our car.
There was a couple down the hall who we were friendly with. They volunteered to help me get Mom downstairs and follow us to the hospital.
As excited as I was, believe it or not, I passed the expressway exit for the hospital. The nearest exit was Woodfield Mall, so I drove to their parking lot . A policeman was sitting in his car, staring at us.
I rolled down the window and nervously explained that I needed to get my very pregnant wife to the hospital.
Could he could give us an escort? Officer Friendly said he was “off duty” and drove away.
Despite that, we got underway to the hospital .All the way ,I was silently cursing the cop and worrying you might be born in our car. I had taken first aid classes in the Army, but they failed to include delivering a baby in the back seat of a Buick Century.
At the hospital, nature took its course.. There was no time for an epidural, so Mom just squeezed my hand and did her Lamaze breathing.
You were literally born a half hour later, right before midnight, December 17, 1981.
After spending some time with Mom getting to know you, I finally drove home to get some sleep.
The streets and the expressway were covered with snow .I rolled down the windows and sang along with the radio to keep me awake. Before I knew it I was home ,bubbling over with excitement.
Our precious daughter, Julie Sarah , was born during one of the coldest weeks in the 20th century, but she has left a glow in my heart that burns stronger every day.
G-d had given us a wonderful gift to share with the world.
Happy birthday, Julie Sarah! We love you very much.
