Prior to 44 B.C. the Ides of March was referred to the day of the full moon, and thereafter, the Ides became the 15th. However, on March 19, 2011, a full moon was very much apparent; so much so, that it was referred to as a supermoon because it featured the closest full moon since 1993, and it was during these nights of that beautiful full moon with its’ extremely strong pull on the ocean’s tides that my very pregnant daughter called to say, “Momma, will you come spend the night with me?” Of course, my antennae went on alert as my private thoughts shot to Prissy’s memorable Gone With the Wind quote: “I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' babies!” And with that thought, the journey of my new granddaughter’s arrival into this world began.
About 3 a.m. the following morning, my daughter woke me with – “I think it may be time to go?” It was more of a question since she had not walked this path before. She wanted to take a shower…thought that might make her feel better. “Sure,” I said. “I’ll just start the car and take the bags out,” but when I checked fifteen minutes later, she was still showering. We needed to get moving! With less than ten miles of travel up the road, her contractions were about four minutes apart. Suddenly, my daughter’s painful words gasped, “…can’t make it, go to nearest hospital!” All of a sudden, the car turned and was headed in the opposite direction; upon arrival, mother’s instinct kicked in – contractions were now less than one and a half minutes apart, and the doctor said she was not dilating any more. Calls went out to Duke and Chapel Hill about airlifting, and finally, paramedics rushed her to Moore Regional.
For those of you who believe in angels, have you ever felt them around you? I did, and it was not the first time I have felt their presence in my life. It was determined that a cesarean was needed - fast. Wonder of wonders, my doctor, Buchele, was on the floor that night; he asked my daughter if she wanted someone in the operating room with her; she said, “My Momma.” The Ides had come and gone, and I was on my way, with my daughter, to find out about the birthin’ of a baby.
