On Tuesdays, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community.
My father wore a pink coat twenty-nine years ago today. We didn't know we were having a girl, but we suspected it. And he must have suspected it, as well. Who knows? Maybe he knew since he had been friends with my doctor. He wore a pink coat. And it was twenty-nine years ago.
I thought I'd resist the epidural, but I didn't last long. Garth had gone to get food when those contractions started, and I was pretty beside myself by the time he returned with his egg sandwich. It was much better to watch the contractions come and go on the monitor, betting that they would have hurt, and instead, watching the French Open. I was cheering for Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi on those almost-pink courts.
We got to watch a lot of tennis that day since it took all day for Larkin to make her appearance. All of her grandparents were there to greet her. I could dig out those pictures, but it's fun to conjure up my dad in that pink blazer having finished his rounds and beaming with a swaddled newborn in his arms.
Twenty-nine years ago in that pink blazer.
Today, I think of my dad, and I celebrate my daughter. It's a strange juxtaposition of life celebrations. He left us ten years ago today on Larkin's 19th birthday.
Today, I think of my dad, but I celebrate my daughter. The girl who made me a mom. Happy birthday to one of my favorite people on this planet.
Beautifully written. Enjoy celebrating your daughter while thinking of your dad, pink blazer and all the memories.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Larkin and beautiful post. I love having a glimpse of your dad in his pink coat. My father was a radiologist and he started the ultrasound department, so he did all my ultrasounds for my 3 daughters. The middle one he predicted a boy, and we never let him forget his mistake. I miss him.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, your loving post brought tears to my eyes. Larkin is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing this birth story and celebration of two lives. I lost my dad on my oldest son's 13th birthday.
ReplyDeleteLove the repetition of the "pink coat/blazer" throughout your story. Such a sweet story of both your dad and Larkin!
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