Hurricane Hugo <via rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov>
I remember this day, twenty-two years ago like yesterday.
Sue was almost a month past her due date. Her belly was enormous. I thought she might just pop (as it turns out, she did). Hurricane Hugo had stalled over northern Virginia. The wind and rain rattled the house. Hail would pelt the windows. On this Wednesday, it was not fit for man nor beast outside.
Sue was schedule for induced labor on that Friday. She finished her last day of work before going on maternity leave, planning to ready the house (even more) the following day. That evening, just before 7:00pm she fell asleep on the living room couch.
I had the game show Jeopardy on the television. I was listening to it in the background as I repaired the ceiling from some water damage. Sue’s water broke at 7:25pm. How do I know this? Ironically, the theme to Final Jeopardy was playing.
She sat bolt upright.
I climbed down jumped from the ladder, covered in a layer of drywall dust that made me look remarkably ghost-like. The only part of me not white was around my eyes and mouth where I just removed my goggles and dust mask. I instantly knew that those Lamaze classes were a total waste of time… everything they prepared me for was lost to instinct.
We called the doctor right away. She tells Sue to relax. Take a bath. Try to get some sleep. She’ll see her in the morning. We figure we’re in for a long night and I start up the stairs to draw her a bath. But, she calls to me as I’m almost to the top. She’s having another contraction. Already? They certainly never said anything about this in Lamaze, did they?
I remember sitting at the kitchen table, doubting the doctor’s recommendation to relax. We get back on the phone, hitting redial. Nothing! Dead air. Sue re-cradles the phone and picks it back up. Still dead. The hurricane has knocked out phone service.
<via flickr.com>
We gather up the “go bag” and cover our heads as we run to the car. We bought a huge, white Crown Victoria station wagon just weeks before. It’s a monster of a car, for it’s time. The rain is coming down in sheets. It’s horizontal, for pities sake! The wipers are of little no use, as the rain drenched the windshield as quickly as it’s being removed. I’m pissed that my one chance to speed and run stop signs is literally washed up.
Nobody is on the roads. Not a soul. It’s like the world has ended and forgot to tell us. The suburbs are pitch-black now. The electrical power is out too. The traffic lights have decided to take the night off. It’s a painfully slow drive (in more ways than one) to the hospital. I remember sitting up in the driver’s seat so close to the windshield to see the road that I was fogging the window. My vision was less than ten yards over the hood of the car.
When we get to the hospital I drop Sue off at the emergency room and park the car. I flat-out sprint back to the same place I dropped her off just a minute ago… and she’s gone! I ask where they took her and the receptionist has no earthly idea what I’m talking about. I wonder if this situation should be included in the Lamaze curriculum. Then it might be worth my time.
I find the maternity ward (don’t ask me how) and I am escorted to the delivery room. Sue is already hooked-up to IV fluids and monitors. She has already quickly abandoned her ambition to give a natural birth and is scolding the nurse for not getting the anesthesiologist… NOW. Meanwhile, they explain one monitor that shows from when she is beginning a contraction until it subsides. I’m mesmerized.
A resident comes in and examines her. She’s already 70% dilated. They begin debating about the value of giving her something for the pain, since this is likely a quick labor. Sue cuts off that discussion, demanding relief. I start signing waivers and work through the hand cramping, else I have to answer to Sue. The only thing I knew was it wasn’t going to be me holding up the anesthesia. Besides, I really wanted to get back to watching the contraction monitor.
At 12:38am, on Thursday, September 21st, the doctor finally was reached and arrived. She came in long enough to basically catch Ryan coming out and to bill us for it. Ryan entered the world as a whopping 10 pound, 4 ounce baby boy. I cut the umbilical cord and they whisked him to the other side of the room to clean him up. Sue then held him as she fell asleep. I spent the night, without sleep, staring at him in the nursery. I also took full advantage of the “Dad Refreshment Center”, sucking down drinks and eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
The morning broke bright and sunny. The type of morning that you have to squint to see. It was the bluest sky I think I ever observed. Hurricane Hugo moved out sometime overnight, leaving only scattered debris as a reminder.
This was surely a sign of things to come.
[poll id=”27″] See previous poll answers here.
What a beautiful story, Ken–had me from your first words…..and i was mesmerized throughout. What an amazing soul you are–you remembered that eve so very well in all it’s detail, as if you’ve held it to your heart to relish forever. A beautiful ‘prize’ at the end of that rainbow. God bless and Happy Birthday to Ryan.SHSP, Annie
Ken – This is my first comment, but i am a true RallyForRyan follower. I used to work at the Pavilion and remember Ryan from years ago… and now i know why im so devoted. Ryan and my daughter were born on the same day (Mine will be 5 t/m). Since i heard about your story i devote a time each day to get updated on your story and to see how Ryans doing. As i celebrate my daughers birthday t/m i will sing another “Happy Birthday” song for Ryan. How special he was and still is. I love reading about your family and know that my prayers are with you today and everyday. Happy Happy Birthday to my Taylor and your Ryan 🙂
Really enjoyed that story. Happy birthday, Ryan!
Enjoyed the story. Thank you.
Wow! Look at all the replies. Don’t we love a good story!
Write on!
Ryan prepared you and Sue for high drama right from the start, huh? And you’ve risen to every challenge of parenthood so admirably for 22 years now… Ryan and Kari are so blessed to have you! Wishing Ryan a year full of the biggest blessings yet for your family. He is a remarkable young man, even though you didn’t name him Leonardo. (I used to tease Karen that we almost named her Hula 🙂 Happy birthday, Ryan! You are loved beyond measure <3
Ken ,Just finished reading this blog about Ryan,s birth…What a night????,but such a great gift .Keep telling stories about Ryan and your family .You are a great writer and storyteller and Ryan will get a kick out of reading them one day ..Happy Birthday a day early Ryan. Love Gail
Ken~ Is’nt it amazing that no matter how long it has been we remember the birth of our children and all the small details surrounding it. The part about Sue demanding pain medicne was hilarious. She has such a gentle nature, I would love to see her telling it like it is to the doctor to get them moving.
Did you have that moment of “He is all ours, we get to take him home, and love him and keep him?” I remember that feeling still, about how when I gave birth to Morgan.
I wish for Ryan’s birthday that he be happy, despite his circumstance. I also hope that you and Sue can take a bit and reflect on some of the funnier things Ryan did growing up. Laughter truly is the best medicne. Much love to all of you~Jen
PS. The “Dad Refreshment Center” was always a big hit for my husband as well.
Great story. Happy Birthday Ryan. God bless all of you.
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Ryan, Happy Birthday to you! Ken, your humor always amazes me.
I go along with everyone else when they say you tell a great story, Ken. Personally, my pulse was racing while I was reading about Ryan’s birth. Good stuff! Plus, y’all made the right decision. There is something to be said for the name ‘Ryan’. It reminds me of Ryan’s Hope. ‘Nuff said…
Hi Ken,
I loved reading this story…who would have thought Ryan was over 10 lbs when he was born!? No wonder Sue demanded pain relief 😉
I want to apologize for being a bit MIA lately. Ryan and your family are constantly in my thoughts.
My best friend’s little brother was killed in Afghanistan a few weeks ago and everything has been a blur since then. He was an amazing man (Ryan’s age) who gave the ultimate sacrafice to protect the ones he loved. The hole this has left in all of us is enormous.
I see the frustration in your posts. While I cannot imagine being in your position, I am with you in the frustration (understatement) of these pointless acts of violence taking the people we love from us and changing our lives forever and putting us through hell.
Please know that I think of you always and have so much love for you, Ryan, Sue, and Kari.
Love,
Morgan
What a wonderful story. It is obvious what wonderful parents you both have been right from the start. Happy Birthday to Ryan!
And what a wonderful son you and Sue have raised, Ken. Ryan is everything a Dad and Mom could want in a son — and then some. Ryan’s soul shines bright, and he has a positive affect on every person who meets him. What a blessing and a joy Ryan is to know. Still praying and still believing…Love, Paula
What a happy and wonderful story. You are a true story teller!! Happy Birthday Ryan. SHSP
Thanks for reminding us how beautiful and tender life is, Ken, from the very beginning. You and Sue continue to exhibit the unconditional love that overflowed that young couple 22 years ago. Happy Birthday, dear Ryan. Still praying you back to your family.
LOL gotta love the part where the doctor comes in just in time to catch Ryan and bill you for it. 🙂 Ain’t that the truth ha ha!!! I’m in total agreement about this being your opening story…
PS: Sorta afraid to answer the poll question today….I’m batting 1000 and I don’t know the answer to this one!
PS – Ok so it was nagging me. ….Just took a guess at the poll question. I’m happy to say I’m still batting 1000!
You won’t know if you were right until tomorrow carla when he posts the answer!
I’m hoping it was Vinney Diviney it has a certain ring to it
Sam, when I took it, it gave me the answer as the HIGHLIGHTED answer (it didn’t have the orange thing up there)……Unless I’m wrong, that’s how all the other ones were. Am I right Ken? Did anyone else see it before the orange thing came up?
Carla,
Orange thing? I had that once… it’s a painful condition.
The answer isn’t posted until the poll closes (Go to Poll Results). It is highlighted because it is your answer.
Well, this idiot stands corrected! Ha ha! Have a good evening everyone, and Ken….Touché.
This is a wonderful story – as always, I laughed and cried! Happy Birthday sweet Ryan – we all love you past the sky. Know that your friends in Morgantown are thinking of you. They’ve been talking about your birthday since last week and are celebrating you and how lucky they are to know you and have you as a friend. They wish you were there with them every day.
Hopefully they will make you proud when you see them on Game Day this Saturday before and after the LSU game. (I think this weeks theme has something to do with “hide yo couch”)
Love you past the sky Ryan and Happy Birthday! xoxo
Second what Lori says! I know the Taco Tuesday crowd of Morgantown misses you Ryan very much!
You are right Lori, it is “hide yo couch” theme this week, I remember the couch the boys had on their porch in Morgantown, we got it free off Craigslist and it was nice with no holes or smell We hauled it up there only to have it not fit through the front door. I Remember Ryan, you, Jon, dad and I tried as hard as we could to get it through the door, but no going, it was staying on the porch. Hope you have a Happy Birthday Ryan, don’t let dad work you too hard.
Oh I LOVE that as the opening for the book too!
Wonderful story, Story Teller! And the very first pages of your/our book!! Oh, yes! You are going to write it, and I am checking on a publisher in Frederick! Keep that writing hand busy, Kenneth! We don’t want to have to get out our ruler (what was that nun’s name–the brutal one?). Please, tell us another story–simply mesmerizing.
Love and prayers always.
So, you write this beautiful story about Ryan’s birth and I’m sitting here giggling about your poll question for today. I hate how my mind works…. 😉
love it, John!