Full Circle, Mirrored Mothers

Our articles framed together

I wanted to give my parents something special for Christmas this year. They live out of state and that has made this all much more aggravating to deal without them to run to. I wanted to give them something that put a positive spin on 2010 and what we as a entire family have suffered through. As I was mentally reminding myself to pass on one of the many newspapers I had bought of G and I in the Trib it hit me! I should frame it. Then I got hit again! AND frame the newspaper article pic my mother and I were part of. Brilliant!!!! Both pics captured bittersweet moments in our lives, without a doubt.

Why so meaningful?

30 some yrs ago I was born 3 1/2 months premature. I was supposed to be born on xmas eve and instead was born mid -September. I did not come until....wait for it.... Christmas Eve (when I finally reached the discharge weight drs were comfy with----3 1/2 pounds). I was born weighing a pound an a half. I fit inside a Dunkin Donuts box (ask my aunts who placed me there for laughs!). I wasn't given that home-for-good-blessing until my parents wavered thru the shock, pain, anguish, unknown this and that, surgery or not moments, and utter fear of my death too many times. I am actually baptized twice bc of that fear alone. I came home in the most beautiful hand-made dress from a devoted nurse. My mother's shoulders to cry on and support systems for so many weeks ( I have those same people in my lives today and many have become friends I can count on. Nurses are very special people!) I was given the title "High-Rish Nursery Queen" and survived, as my parents watched many preemies pass away as their turmoil continued. And all this occurred in one special place - Lutheran General Hospital. Hmm...I know that place pretty damn well, too!

30 + years ago

Left-September Right-November
1 # 8 oz over 2#

My mom and I have spoke of the inevitable moments relived as she walked those halls and entered a hospital room that housed her 3rd grandbaby the week of diagnosis. And I assure my father felt the same even though he did not discuss it.The daddy's girl in me felt it with every inch of his hold on me. It took weeks for me to see the 'full circle' aspect of all this, the mirrored lives we were leading. It scared the hell out of my parents, and I as well. Was it fair that I was to live the same fears as they? Of course not, but here we are. As the drs said, it was nothing we did. It was nothing my mother did. Grayson and I were just chosen.

Every Christmas Eve I sit in front of my tree with a hot cup of anything and think back to my childhood. Gracious memories, endless ones. I had the most wonderful childhood and on. I love my parents. They made me a Harper and Harpers fight. It was the first line my pediatrician back then muttered to my parents after his first evaluation of me-"Forget what they told you. Sara is not going anywhere. WE have a fighter here!" I still remember that pediatrician, Dr Metrick. He continued to be my dr until I turned 16. His name is forever remembered throughout that hospital today.

And to think-I survived back when the technology that exists today was none to be found. And Charito and I are constantly reminded by medical staff, friends, victims, and strangers of how far they have come in the advances of Leukemia research and treatments. That is today. I am thankful for today.

Well, we made a Carper and Carpers fight.

And thus far G has proven he is a fighter and will continue to be.

I believe it to my very soul.