Happy 29th Birthday to Alexander the Great ( the one I delivered) - August 27, 2011

Since I've posted so many pictures already of my children, I won't go overboard

and do so today on Alex's 29th birthday.  I can't believe all those years have

gone by since I agonized in the delivery room, trying to expel that 8 pound, 9

ounce football player from my uterus.  It all happened fairly quickly, thank

heavens, since I didn't even get an epidural!  Part of that was my fault.  I had

Alex at Mt. Zion Hospital in San Francisco where I'd worked both in psychiatry

and the operating room.  My inpatient adolescent psych unit had ceased to

exist and was, in fact, part of the building that had became the Department

of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 

I had arrived, in labor, a bit early so I went across the street to visit my pals

in the operating room.  My obstetrician gave me CLEAR instructions to

come back when my contractions were five minutes apart.  I had fully

intended to do so but I waited for one more friend to get her afternoon

break and, the next thing I knew, my contractions were four minutes apart.

By the time, I waited for the elevator, crossed the street to the Pavilion and

waited for that elevator, I realized I was REALLY uncomfortable.  The

nurse checked me and rushed me to the delivery room. 

"Wait, wait," I complained loudly, "I can't have a baby without an

epidural!  I didn't go to classes.  I want an epidural." 

Totally unsympathetic, my doc said, "Don't worry, your son will be here

before you know it." 

I tell you, I never pushed so hard in my life and I guess I pushed him around

so much for eighteen years that he left home for UC Davis after high school

and he's been gone ever since!

Alex is the middle of my three sons!  I'd forgotten about birthing babies since

Shawn was already eleven when Alex came along!  He's a terrific young man

and he chose a wonderful wife.  So far, he's the only one of my boys to get

married.  I owe him big time for bringing Laura into our family ( oh, yes, he

also gave us Taffy, my female granddog! ).



For some reason, as a toddler, Pampers boxes were Alex's favorite toys.  He had

no use for all the expensive toys piled up in his room - that is, other than his

collection of  stuffed leopards and his supreme favorite, "dirty leppie".

Alex and Laura just got back from Hawaii so I'm posting a couple of

pictures from their vacation.

He's certainly gotten skinny since his college football days!

Laura and Alex at the Pali in Honolulu - the two share

August as a birthday month!  Laura's was the 12th

while they were in Hawaii!

Today, while going through yet another stack of papers for the garbage pile, I

came across a booklet Alex did for his English class ( it won't be tossed! ) 15

years ago.  He titled it, "Creative Free-Style Poetry".  His teacher gave him an

A+.  Reading it today, I shed a few tears.  Included among his compositions

were works about me and his brother, Jeremy.  Wonder why his oldest

brother, Shawn, wasn't in there!!



It really want't my intent to have THREE sons.  Each time, I kept thinking

I'd finally have my little girl, to dress in frilly pink frocks, to set her hair in

ringlets, to take on shopping expeditions, to share my love of cooking

and cake decorating.  Thinking about it now, though, I wouldn't give up

any of my wonderful three sons.  Each of them is so special to me, each

unique and individual and I love them dearly.

Alex, on your birthday, I want you to know I truly am proud of the man

you've become, of how hard you work, of your integrity and kindness and

respect for others.  You know what you want and work toward that goal,

regardless of how others might try to dissuade you.  You have a lovely

wife and home and two great dogs who adore you.  I know it is not easy

working your crazy schedule and going to school but you keep your nose

to the grindstone and, eventually, it will all be behind you.  My only

admonition is to, occasionally, take time to stop and smell the flowers.

I love you.  Have a happy birthday.  I am so happy you, Shawn, and

Jeremy were chosen for me.

Mom

Camera Critters, #172 - Great Camouflage - July 23, 2011

Amazingly, I spotted this little critter at the Marin Art and Garden Center.  It startled the
heck out of me as I was taking pictures of the flowers.  I trid to get more pictures of
him/her as he/she darted about but I just couldn't keep up and, since he/she was the
exact color of the dirt and rocks, I was lucky to manage these shots!

I am participating in Camera Critters #172 - check out the site

and add your own critter shot to join in the fun!

Alphabe Thursday - "W" Is For Wearing of the Green - March 17, 2011

Remembering Mayra

Today everyone is Irish,

And enjoys a festive whirl,

But while most are celebrating,

Edith mourns her oldest girl.

Toasts are raised on high to Ireland,

And folks remember the old sod,

But in one California city,

A saddened mother questions God.

On this very day, ten years ago,

In far El Salvador,

Four children told their mom goodbye,

As she went off to the store.

She never came back home to them,

A speeding driver took her life,

This daughter, sister, mother,

And a loving husband's wife.

So Edith doesn't dance a jig,

Tears always dim her eyes,

Every 17th of March, my friend,

Spends time in prayer and cries.

St. Patrick, I beseech you,

I know that Mayra's there,

May all the saints and angels,

Keep her in your care.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) Carmen Henesy

March 17, 2011

I know that St. Patrick's Day is usually a joyous day, filled with festivities, parades,

corned beef and cabbage, a bit ( ? ) of intoxication, the wearing of the green, and

Irish music and dance.  For Edith Vukasinovic, my dear friend and the stepmother of

my sons, Alex and Jeremy, it will always be one of the most tragic days of her life. 

It is the day her first born was killed in El Salvador, as she went to the grocery,

prior to a beach outing with her family.  This St. Patrick's Day is the 10th anniversary

of Mayra's death, an especially sad anniversary.

Since I was going to be gone much of the day ( off to UCSC Dermatology to get my

stitches removed ) and wanting to be with my youngest son tonight as he prepares to

move away from home, we decided to celebrate St. Patrick's Day together with

breakfast at a well known Irish pub in Millbrae, California.  We called and were told

that, because it was St. Paddy's Day, it would be open at 7AM, instead of their usual

8AM.  We met at 7:30AM - the only women there - but there were about thirty men

present, absorbed in some sport on Irish t.v.

Fortified with a wonderful Irish coffee  ( I think that is a great way to start the day ), I

polished off a full Irish breakfast, complete with Irish bacon, Irish sausage, black and

white pudding ( blood sausage ), eggs, beans, toast and potatoes while Edith had

scrambled eggs and corned beef.  I could barely waddle out of the place when we

were done. 

Edith will be meeting another friend this evening at an English pub for dinner!  I hope,

though, of course, she will have moments of sadness on this terrible anniversary, she

knows that her friends cherish her and hold her close.  I never knew Mayra but she

must have been a lovely daughter.  She has one terrific mother.

Rest in Peace, Mayra!

Erin Go Bragh

Sign - Fiddler's Green, popular Irish pub, Millbrae, CA

Edith Vukasinovic

Beer selection

Bar at Fiddler's Green

Cheers from Edith

Cheers from Carmen - with steristrips on my nose!

Edith's corned beef and scrambled egg

My full English breakfast

Starving friends!

I am participating in Jenny Matlock's Alphabe Thursday  - check out the site and join in the fun!