birthday

Today, June 14th, is, in the United States, Flag Day; it commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

What makes this day even more important, and special, is that it’s my Granddaughter Emma’s birthday; My Flag Day Baby, as I call her.

The eldest of our Grandchildren, Emma, is an absolute joy to our family. As I sit here and write this post, I cannot believe how quickly these past years of her life have taken her from a bubbly baby to nursery school, Cheerleading, an outstanding high school student and, most importantly.. Grandma’s favorite shopping buddy.

What more could I ask for?

Tonight, we will celebrate with a family dinner and her favorite birthday cake while following the yearly tradition of talking about the morning she was born; how becoming Grandparents was the best gift my husband and I would ever receive.

Happy Birthday to Miss Emma Jean, we heart you dearly!

Jennifer Juniper lives upon the hill,
Jennifer Juniper, sitting very still.
Is she sleeping ? I don’t think so.
Is she breathing ? Yes, very low.
Whatcha doing, Jennifer, my love ?

Two seeds were planted early in the 1970’s. One was the name Jennifer, deeply embedded in my husband’s mind after we went to see Summer of ’42 starring Jennifer O’Neill.

The second seed? Well, that turned out to be our own Jennifer, born that year, early one winter morning.

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It was a cold, half-snowy, mostly slushy Friday when I awoke to labor pains that were hard to ignore and rumbling in at about three minutes apart. A quick call to the doctor and we left in a frantic rush for the hospital. Upon arriving, I was quickly ushered away to one of the labor rooms as my spouse made a dash for the cafeteria.

Actually, it was more like an escape.

Natural Childbirth wasn’t an option back then, at least not in our hospital, and husbands were kept at bay…or in the cafeteria.

Nope, it was roll them in, dope them up and get that baby delivered.

Years later, my husband still moans about the big breakfast he wasn’t able to enjoy, cursing the hospital staff every time he talks about it. He still recalls that as I departed for the labor room that morning, one of the nurses told him it will probably be hours before anything happens, so go eat, relax, we’ll call for you when your baby arrives. And, on that note, he stopped to make a few phone calls, go to the little boy’s room and then the cafeteria where he ordered 4 eggs over easy, bacon, toast, juice and coffee…just to tide him over and help keep up his strength, of course.

The very moment that the breakfast of champions was set down in front of his starving gaze, the call came through for the new daddy to head back to the delivery area to meet his first born child. Focusing through drug-induced foggy eyes, I looked up to see my husband standing by my bed and he was mumbling something about Jennifer being here.

Jennifer?

As he got to see her first, that right was assumed, as lord and master of his kingdom, to immediately bestow a name upon her. Of course, I then had to endure the heartbreaking tale of his missed breakfast because those &*#%* nurses obviously didn’t realize that his daughter was in a hurry to be born. His sob story about food deprivation was the next, most important, issue on his agenda that day.

I grabbed hold of my mental violin and started playing.

But, Jennifer had indeed arrived and the name fit her perfectly. Her father even had a favorite Donovan song that he loved singing to her, one that would become the song they danced to at her wedding years later.

Today, I celebrate my oldest daughter and all that she has become; a wonderful wife, loving mother, dedicated high school Principal and presently, COVID Commander for her school district in Florida. I am beyond proud of her accomplishments, as I am with all my children.

Someday, I’ll share stories of… Jen, the Great Toyota Arsonist, Jen the Hapless Horseback Rider and Jen’s Magnificent Christmas Tree Caper.

For now, I’ll just wish her the Happiest of Birthdays!!

Jennifer Juniper, rides a dappled mare,
Jennifer Juniper, lilacs in her hair.
Is she dreaming ? Yes, I think so.
Is she pretty ? Yes, ever so.
Whatcha doing, Jennifer, my love ?

My Flag Day Baby

Jennifer Juniper

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