Happy Birthday, G.K.!

Every Thanksgiving since 2002, I know what to be thankful for…

I had deep vein thrombosis when I was five months pregnant with my youngest. I limped for two weeks without realizing that, Hey, it is more than a muscle strain since it is not getting any better after so many days. Oh, and look! Your left leg is swollen and purple and you cry when you move. Is that normal? Oh, by the way, you are pregnant. Perhaps you should go have a doctor check it out just in case? You dumbass!?!

When I did see my Obgyn for my regular monthly check-up, one look, and she sent me to the emergency room. When there, I was whisked away to the ICU and promptly had an umbrella filter inserted to prevent any clog from going into my lungs. X-ray was involved. Blood thinner medications. Lovenox shots. I cried every day.

“What an idiot?! Now I am endangering my baby by being such an idiot!” I could not have been more upset at myself.

We were so relieved and grateful when he was born. Perfectly healthy. A beautiful baby boy.

My Thanksgiving Baby

He is the child that keeps me on my toes.

He is the child that asked me, “Is it hard to take care of us?”

He is the child that sidled up to me while I was doing the dishes, patted my hand, and asked, “Did YOU yourself have any dinner yet?” while his father and older brother were wrestling on the floor.

He is the child that is sensitive enough to suggest, “Don’t call me Mr. Monk!”

He is the child that dances the interpretive dance while the Casio plays Canon in D.

He is the child that speaks with a British accent after watching too many episodes of Charlie and Lola and Kipper.

He is the child that wears a fedora and tips his head at the ladies.

He is the child that is already really worried about what he is going to be when he grows up.

He is the child with an old, old soul.

He is the child that says, “I am different. Deal with it!”

He is the child that makes me question myself all the time whether I am good enough as a person.

He is the child that makes me wonder whether all the love you could give is still not enough to love your children with.

4th birthday

He turned 7 today.

Happy Birthday, G.K.!

13 thoughts on “Happy Birthday, G.K.!

  1. Falling

    This is beautiful. I especially love the fedora-wearing-hat-tipping bit. I want to pass him in the street now and give him a “how do.”

    DVT is one of my top-ten hypochondriac worries. See also: stroke, brain tumor, and blood poisoning.
    .-= Falling´s last blog…Leftovers =-.

    Reply
    1. Absence Alternatives Post author

      Thanks. 🙂 My fear is facing some end-of-world catastrophe and I cannot run. But that’s another post. LOL.

      Reply
    1. Absence Alternatives Post author

      🙂 I am not bothered by the accent. I’d be worried when he has a friend named Soren Lorensen. 😉

      Reply
  2. Absence Alternatives Post author

    Dear all, thank you so much for the birthday wish and the kind words. I get sappy on this day every year esp. since his birthday always falls around Thanksgiving. DUH to the previous statement… But it is true: it does make me more reflective for all that I should be thankful for. I have also recently reconnected with a very good friend of mine and learned that during these years while I was missing from her life, she suffered and beat cancer, and gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. All these things just make me want to be a less sarcastic person because really, what hardship have I ever been through, the real kind? Ooops. This is turning into a post itself. I am a comment hog on my own blog!

    Thank you all again. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, as The Bloggess would say, y’all! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Jen @ NathanRising

    Deep vein thrombosis??!! OMG, girl, I am so very glad the doctors caught it! Now you have a handsome little guy with a great sense of humor, sensitivity, and wisdom not many children his age possess. Yes indeed, you have much to be thankful for! And I am so glad for you!!
    -Jen
    .-= Jen @ NathanRising´s last blog…Even More Talk of Poopage =-.

    Reply
  4. Merrilymarylee

    This is exquisitely lovely. That is one very special little boy. Isn’t it ironic how the gentlest souls can wring your heart with the most innocent question.

    I can’t even imagine your terror.

    Happy birthday to Mr. M. He deserves a long term mom; take care of yoruself!
    .-= Merrilymarylee´s last blog…In the Pink =-.

    Reply

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