It’s time for another Global Writing Challenge prompt. Our current membership consists of MK’s Adventures in Style, Deb’s World, Women Over 50 Living Well, Suzy Turner, Rosie Amber, and me. I chose this month’s theme. I didn’t really have a reason for doing so. I love the Global Writing Challenge because it’s always fun to see what others come up with…the responses rarely repeat. On top of the wonderfully different opinions and thoughts, the writing itself is wonderful! I hope you’ll visit all of these blogs because you are going to be amazed at, not only the diversity of ideas, but the stories of each person. There’s also a link party at the end of this post!
If you want to participate…
If you’d like to join in, we post on the second Thursday of the month. You can link up with me or any of the other bloggers. Here are the next few prompts of the year:
- September: September
- October: Kindness
Here goes…
I think the very first car accident I was ever in was one in which I was driving. My mom had just gotten a brand-new Monte Carlo and let me skip school in order to apply for a job after I graduated from high school. It was a beautiful car. I was driving along one of the main streets of my hometown when, all of a sudden, I was dragged to a stop. A little old man had pulled out of his parking place and hit me! I was petrified! Was it my fault? What would my mom say? It turns out this poor man had recently lost his wife and wasn’t really thinking as he pulled out of his parking place. It was completely his fault, and he owned it. Mom was upset because it was a brand-new car, but she wasn’t angry, especially not at me.
A little more…
Strangely enough, several years later, I had an accident in the exact same spot. I was student teaching and had gone to my supervising teacher’s house for some reason. While I was gone, it had begun to sleet. As I was driving home, I slowed down to make a right hand turn and slid right into a parked car. Somehow or other, I called the police as this was before cell phones. I did have to sit in the police car as he took down the information. One of the things I remember is he asked if I needed contacts to drive. Anyone who knows me (then and now) knows I’m very nearsighted. I had to turn my face so he could make sure I had them in. I think he even asked if I’d been drinking…me! A teetotaler! The damage to both cars was minimal, though.
Down to it now…
But, that’s not what I’m writing about today. I had another accident between these two occasions. I even got permission from the person involved so I could write this post. In 1980, we had our first son. In 1982, we had our daughter. I was done. My oldest weighed 8 lb 2oz. My daughter weighed 9 pounds even. Remember, I’m only 5’1”! I, obviously, carried my babies in front of me and got quite large. I absolutely loved being pregnant. It was the labor and delivery I dreaded. I am not one of those women who had babies in a matter of a couple of hours. My labor for my first was induced on a Tuesday morning. I had him Thursday afternoon. My daughter came naturally, but it was still more than eight hours. So, yes, I was done with childbearing. I made my wishes known to Nigel quite vociferously. He would be the one to take care of making sure there were no more babies.
A bit more…
I breastfed my babies for a couple of reasons. The first one is I’m just plain lazy. Why go to all that hassle with bottles and formula when it’s there just waiting for the baby? The second was it was so much cheaper. And, the third, and most important was I loved it. But, just so you know! Breastfeeding is not birth control. When our daughter was about seven months old (give or take a month), I hadn’t had a period so I called the gynecologist. They wanted me to take a pregnancy test first.
Guess what…
You know that expression, “My jaw dropped to the floor.” Well, I understood it the day my pregnancy test results came in. My OB’s office called and said, “Congratulations, Mrs. Banks! You’re pregnant!” I was shocked and more than a little angry at Nigel. He knew how much I suffered during labor. Now, let’s talk about labor in my hometown in the 80s. It was all natural. I did receive shots of Demerol during those long days of hard labor when I had my first son. But, once I hit the delivery room for both of the babies, there were no epidurals or anything like that. So, I felt every one of those labor pains and had no desire to experience it ever again. There we were, though, with a positive pregnancy test
Surprise…
For a while, we referred to the baby as “the Accident.” But, I told Nigel that’s not any way for a child to be remembered. So, I changed it to “the Surprise” because that baby was definitely a surprise! Jordan was born in January even though I was experiencing those daggone Braxton Hicks contractions for a couple of months before. And, like the other times, I was huge! So huge, in fact, I totally humiliated (not by choice) the bread man at a local restaurant. He enquired, “Any day now?” To which I replied, “Nope, I’m only six months along.” Next inquiry, “Twins, eh?” “Nope, just one.” He couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I just laughed because, I mean it was my third pregnancy in three years, and I’m short!
Oompa loompa, anyone…
On a cold day in January, my last child was born. He came in (or should I say out) at a whopping 9 lb 11 oz! We had intended to name him Jordan right from the start. Our obstetrician suggested Bruno or Chuck! To make matters funnier, he was also very jaundiced. He actually stayed in the hospital five days (back in the wonderful days when a hospital stay for having a baby was three days), and I stayed four days. They would put these little goggles on him, put him on his tummy (completely nekkid) and shine that bili light on him. Again, this was back in the bad old days when you could actually go to the nursery and look in the window at all the new babies. I was standing there, looking at my little orange guy, my heart just full to bursting. I heard people beside me coming and going, and most of them were saying, “Hey, look at that really big one over there!” I’d just smile because that “really big one” was all mine!
Home…
I had to go home a day before him. Luckily, we lived right across the street from the hospital. The nurse would call me and let me know it was time to eat! I’d put on my warmest coat that would halfway cover me and head over (yes, I drove…it was freezing). Finally, on the fifth day, the nurses called and said, “The doctor said you can pick up your layaway.” I got there just as fast as I could. I think Nigel was home with the other two.
Dairy Queen…
Fast forward a few years. The older two kids were in school. We lived in town then, and Jordan and I would walk all over the small town because we only had one car at the time. We’d go to the library, stop in a store or two, and almost always ended up at the Dairy Queen where he’d get a Starkiss. This was somewhere between an Dilly Bar and a popsicle. We’d walk in, and the ladies would ask him what flavor he wanted that day. Even though I was going to college and taking a full load, I made time to be with my kids. I think Jordan lucked out because we did spend lots of one on one time together in the years before he started school.
And, then…
Over the years, Jordan has been the one who pushes me the most. While I know it bothers Nigel and the other two, I know I’ll soon receive a phone call with an apology. Nigel and Jordan share a lot when it comes to personality. They’re both not comfortable with lots of people they don’t know. They’re a little rigid in certain situations. But, they’re a lot different in other ways. Nigel is an engineer and definitely a left brain thinker. Jordan is a musician (by passion) and definitely without a single doubt a right brain thinker. He also has a Master’s degree in Special Education and works with children with autism, but music is and always will be his passion.
A good surprise…
Oh, and I did take care of things so there would be no further accidents! I sure am glad, though, we had that last accident because I cannot imagine my world without Jordan (or any of my kids) in my life. He truly does push me to think and look at things differently.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
What others are saying…
Suzy “ shares funny and scary personal stories about accidents, showing how even mishaps can bring unexpected kindness and laughs.”
Mary Katherine is still on hiatus, catching up with old friends, and vacationing.
Sue “discovers some paths can’t be planned—they’re discovered in the wandering. How sometimes accidental twists can be a good thing.”
Debbie: “One of Debbie’s defining posts is all about an accident when she was 17 and on a school excursion overseas. This tragic accident has impacted her life ever since.”
Leslie has retired from blogging. Hopefully, this is a short term retirement!
Rosie “ has chosen 5 things that she came across by accident.”
And, now, it’s your turn!
If you’d like to link up your Supernatural posts, you may link up here or at any of the other blogs!
Yes, a very happy accident Marsha. I’m glad that it all turned out well for you all.
Thanks, Rosie! It was the absolute best kind of accident!
Crikey, Marsha….your kids were big babies!!! I’m amazed you were able to carry them at all lol! But I’m so glad that all worked out as it should be and that you wouldn’t change anything for the world. What a lovely accident in the end!
I love that photo of him bathing in the kitchen sink!!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Hahaha!!! I was absolutely huge, and they were all up front. I still laugh when I think about that poor breadman just trying to make conversation. I wonder if he ever said anything like that again! Jordan took lots of baths in that kitchen sink. I have a photo somewhere of him with spaghetti all through his hair, but I couldn’t find it! He was such a funny kid and is a wonderful human being just like his brother and sister!
Thanks, Suzy!
Oh what a shame you couldn’t find that photo, I bet it’s hilarious!!
I can just imagine you when you were younger, small everywhere expect for that front loaded pregnancy belly lol!!
Hugs xx
I have a suspicion I gave it to Jordan. He’s been into photography and manipulating old photos. He’s been buying vintage cameras and just generally wasting money! But, he’s having fun. Oh, Lordy! It got to be tough driving at the end with all of them. I think I had only one pair of pants that fit by the time I had them. No photographs exist of me at that time, either! I wish I had taken a couple!
Oh what a shame, it would have been lovely to see those old photos of you, Marsha!
Hugs xx
Hahaha!! I would have been a ball!!!
Marsha, I am just in awe of those big babies that tiny little you delivered! Bless your heart, I cannot imagine. God knew you needed Jordan!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! That’s another thing I forgot to mention. We had been calling Miranda (in utero) Jordan all the time I was pregnant. There hadn’t been any girls born for so long. We assumed she would be a he! When she was born, Josh wondered where Jordan was. He was just late getting here!
The best possible surprise / accident everrrr 🤎 My first was almost 9 pounds, and that was an adventure. I can’t imagine having a baby well into the 9 pounds!
Oh, my gosh, Edi! I can’t imagine you having a baby almost 9 pounds! And, yes, it was a wonderful surprise/accident!
That’s the best kind of accident…maybe a surprise but definitely a blessing.
XOXO
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! It was just so shocking to me. But, in the end, I wouldn’t change a thing!
My little brother was such an “accident”. Not that little is the right word, he had close to 11 lb (my mother was 4” taller than you) and he was loud, lol.
I like that you said you should be calling him “the surprise” of “the accident”! So much nicer.
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Thanks, Cat! I totally left out that part! When I told my mom I was pregnant, she asked me if I knew how that happened. I reminded her there were less months between me and my “little” brother than there would be between my two. I don’t think any of us were particularly big. I honestly don’t know why I had such huge babies!
What a lovely story! I had to laugh about calling Jordan the accident. I’m a accident too, lol. And I also loved Bob Ross!
Thanks, Nancy! Accidents are good things in this case, right? The really wonderful think about Bob Ross was my kids liked watching him, too!
I have been rather fortunate to have never been in a car accident; though I have had many close calls through the years. All 3 of my boys were unplanned and unexpected and I was pretty okay with that right up until #3; I was completely panicked about having 3 kids 4 & under all at home with me all day long (and made sure there were no more surprised after that too!). This was fun to read and I loved seeing all these old throwback photos.
Thanks, Joanne! It’s funny that I wasn’t necessarily panicked about having three under four years old. It was thinking about that labor and delivery that had me upset! After that, I just rolled with the flow as I was still in baby mode which helped a lot.
What a story- and a happy accident! Although I can’t imagine having so many young ones at the same time. Mine are almost 5 years apart! Not my choice, but there were some advantages to it. You are a rockstar for going to school at the same time too!
Thanks, Laura! I didn’t really intend to have three under four at the same time, but it really was fairly easy. I just never got out of baby mode! I do think going to school after having my kids made me a better teacher in the end.
What a lovely ‘accident’, Marsha and I agree your little ‘surprise’ sounds so much better. I loved your stories for this prompt and the photos as well. Thanks for selecting Accidents – we have all taken a different slant which is great. x
Thanks, Sue! I just didn’t want that poor little (who wasn’t so little) baby to have an awful nickname like Accident. Instead, his nickname is Jordie Pordie after the old nursey rhyme about Georgie Porgie. But, I’m the only one who calls him that! That is one of the reasons I love this group. We all have such a different perspective on the prompts.
A lovely post! The best accident. Sometimes we don’t know what we want until we get it! #TellUsAbout
Thanks, Lydia! I was very lucky with this particular “accident.” Your poem was hauntingly beautiful!
Jordan was not only a surprise but a blessing! The best kind of accident!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! You are exactly right. He knows exactly which buttons to push and when to push them. But, he also knows when he goes too far and will always apologize!
What a fun post to read! So crazy that you had two car accidents in the same spot. Can’t believe your last child was that big! I had two c-sections and never had contractions so I can’t relate. But I do have the c-section hangover in pooch. Lol!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks, Kathrine! I really didn’t realize that about the accidents until I started writing! Oh, my poor stomach has never been the same. When my daughter had her babies, they gave her these giant velcro bands to bind her stomach. I have to say they worked because her stomach is very flat. She said it had to do with hormones. I’m sure doctors in the 80s thought stomach binding was an old wives’ tale or something like that.
What a wonderful story about a wonderful surprise! (I’m so glad you made sure not to refer to him as an “accident”) My second baby was our surprise and a very happy one indeed, and all my babies were big. The second one was 9lb 9oz and the third was 10lb 4oz. I said if the next one was any bigger s/he could ride their own bike home from the hospital. LOL She was 9lb 11oz so we let her ride in the car with us. 😉
Also I’m glad your mom was understanding and not mad about your car accident. The first car accident is kind of a rite of passage, and we just hope it’s one where no one is hurt and it’s not our kid’s fault.
This was a delight to read – thanks for hosting!
Thanks, Kym! Wow!! 10lb 4 oz! That’s a big baby! I love the bicycle comment! I don’t really remember much about Mom’s reaction other than she wasn’t angry. But, that car was truly brand new…as in days or weeks. I felt so badly for that poor older man. His wife had died within the week which also melted Mom’s heart. Thanks for linking up with us, Kym!
I really enjoyed reading about all of your accidents!
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Thanks, Mireille! I was very fortunate in not having many!