Monday, October 27, 2008

The Best Birthday Present Ever

I celebrated my fifth birthday at my grandparent's house. We always had our family birthday parties at our house, but this time my parents, most especially my mother, seemed to think that it was important to focus on someone else's birth than mine that day. What better way to celebrate your child's birth than by giving birth to another child? She was in the hospital having my present.

I only remember sensing that something was terribly wrong. I most especially remember uncle Carl's (mom's brother) anxious and worried expression as he and grandpa rushed to the car. There were some very serious complications and both mother and baby seemed to be in danger. I learned later that Micah was NOT coming and was extremely stressed. The cord was wrapped around his neck and there were a number of other issues. Mom had been in labor for days and there was something very wrong. My dad had called from the hospital and my frantic grandmother had sent grandpa and uncle Carl racing to the hospital to give my mom a blessing. Soon after the hands of dad, grandpa, Uncle Carl and the doctor were placed on her head, Dr. Lewis proclaimed, "I think I can get this dude out!" And with a yank of the foreceps, he did!! Out came a very blue little boy.

I remember later that night, when the rest of us arrived at the hospital, the dear doctor asked who the birthday girl was. I stepped forward shyly. He said, "well, I think the birthday girl should be the first to touch her baby brother!" Following the doctor's instructions, I reached my hand forward, through the little twisty things on the incubator, toward his bruised and misshapen head, and lightly petted his his warm, pink skin. A bond was formed.

Throughout our childhood I remember trying to look after little Micah. He had his favorite big brother Adam, and his beloved mother for a summer sister, Su, but I was always proud that this little guy was mine. I remember one night when we were sleeping at grandma and grandpa's house while visiting Utah from California Micah woke up cold in the night. I was the only one that woke up as well and got him settled with an extra blanket. I remember wondering why he was so grateful for that, and wishing that I had more opportunities to do things like that for him.

These days, though we rarely (never?) talk to each other, I think, and hope, that Micah knows that he is very special to me. Not sure how it is that I feel MORE special because I share my birthday, instead of feeling less special, but I think it may have to do with who I'm sharing it with. We share more than just a date of birth, though.

* We both love(d) hot dogs. There were never any arguments over what we would have for our birthday dinner.
* In some ways I think he and I are the most emotional members of the family(though we show it differently)
* We both have longish faces? Or eyes a little close together? Not sure what it is, but we look a little alike
* The corners of both of our mouths turn up slightly. Micah's is more Joker-ish than mine is, but mine is bad enough that my friend in high school had a hard time talking to me while looking in my face because she would always burst out laughing about the upturn on the edges of my mouth.
* We both were smart in school (is it bad manners to add a "quite" or "extremely" (kidding) in here if I'm not only talking about me?) but neither of us applied ourselves, or got very good grades.
* We both like to eat sweets quite a lot. Like way too much, if we're not careful.
* We both have spiky hair and nice little beards.

Oh wait. It appears I ran out of ideas. My beard is actually much thinner than his, and my hair is only spiky about a year after I give birth to a child (if you've never had one, that's from all the hair that fell out after the birth growing back in)

Micah is such a smarty. He has about the sharpest sense of humor of anyone I know. He is a very loyal sibling and friend. He has always had a very strong sense of right and wrong. He's not half ugly, either (read: drop dead gorgeous. Are you allowed to say things like that about your brother?)

I really love this guy. I feel privileged to have this special bond with him. Although I may not show that I care like I should, I hope he knows that I think about him and remember him in my prayers. I wish him all the best this life as to offer, and the fullest of happiness.

Here you see the beautiful girl he's chosen for keeps, Heather. They will be married in June, and I am so happy for them. I wish them the very best.

Love you, Micah! Happy Birthday!

On our 17th and 22nd birthday our oldest brother and his wife decided to celebrate our birthday the same way mom celebrated my 5th. Our nephew Noah was born. He loves basketball almost as much as his birthday uncle. And he has his birthday aunt's long face! Happy Birthday, Noah!!

21 comments:

Kristina P. said...

Wow, they are both beautiful!

Pancake said...

WOW, I am glad that birthday turned out the way it did, what a great DR to have you touch him first!!

They make a great couple!

Heidi said...

So, I guess this means, Happy Birthday Lisa! Yay! Your brother is pretty darn adorable! I wouldn't mind looking like him. . .

Susan said...

Heh heh, I hadn't even drawn the connection like Heidi, that's pretty funny! I remember the big to-do mostly about whether "the baby" would be a boy or girl and when Uncle Carl and Grandpa came back to Grandma's they were right in the doorway and the 3 boys and 3 girls of us couldn't STAND the wait and teasing he gave us before really telling us our family would be 4 to 3 for boys :)

Happy Birthday Lis, you're the best!

Melissa said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! By the way, per your request, I added more to my story :) And I've probably mentioned it before, but I think we look a LOT alike. I've always thought my eyes were too close together, too! If we were men, I'd say you were my "brother from another mother." But we're girls, so I'm not quite sure how that saying would work out. But you know what I mean! I would love to meet you for reals someday!

Anonymous said...

Zippedy-ay and Hi-de-ho, there's something you must do...
Go blog all day, Miss LisAway,
Happy Birthday...To you!!

Happy, happy day! And by the way, I love your new glasses! They look exactly like mine!

Kazzy said...

So, you and your brother are part of a good-lookin' family I see! Happy birthday! I hope you have agreat day and that your family treats you like a queen!

Nathan said...

Happy birthday, Lisa. Great post. I got a sibling for my fifth birthday, too! Mary came a day early -- or four days late according to the due date -- but she was always my birthday sister. I remember going to see her in the hospital and being disappointed that my birthday privileges did not extend to naming her (I wanted to call her Tomato). We had the same childhood allergy to eggs, which meant that we got to have our own pancakes and cake, made with egg substitute. We played basketball together and I generally made her into a tomboy.

So cool that you have an even more precise birthday present! (Three of our four kids are born within four weeks of each other on the calendar (late June to mid-July). Three of my seven siblings came in May. You two arrived on the same date. Makes you wonder about parents' fertility cycles, eh?)

Enjoy your big day.

Little GrumpyAngel said...

Hey, happy birthday! And to your brother and nephew, too! It must be a really special day in your family to have 3 beloved members born on the same date. Yes, your brother is gorgeous and so are you.

Melanie Jacobson said...

Happity birfday!

What a sweet tribute to your brother. We have some strange birthday coincidences in my family that I'll blog about on the appropriate dates before the end of the year. But it's enough to say that I think sharing birthdays is a pretty cool thing.

Erin said...

I just loved the part where you met him and a bond was formed. How wonderful that you remember that special moment.

Alison Wonderland said...

Um yeah, he is a hottie. Too bad he's off the market.
Oh wait... I'm already married. Forget it.

Oh and Happy Birthday!

melissabastow said...

I'm holding a cupcake up to my monitor right now, so blow out the candle before the wax drips all over my hand. And then I'll eat the cupcake during the huge celebration I'm throwing for your birthday.

Ok, so mostly it just involves a cupcake and a candle...and mostly they're just pretend...but still...

Happy Birthday!!!

*MARY* said...

Happy birthday to all three of you! If one of my little brothers was born on my birthday I probably would have run away. But that's just because I'm a terrible person.

Anne said...

Where was I when Micah was born? I don't reember a single thing. Can you just write about everything that happenned growing up, please?

Melain said...

He's a hottie! I have a little brother that I'm super close to as well. It's a real blessing.

Did I just say that?

Well it's true. I can't imagine sharing a birthday with someone. I'm a bit selfish for that. But I could see why it would make you closer. You're a lucky girl.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Dang, I missed it! Happy Birthday Lisa! And congrats on the good news!

Now to write this on the calendar so I don't miss it next year...

Carlynn said...

Happy late Birthday to both YOU and Micah. I totally forgot about your birthdays being on the same day until I read your post. That is awesome. I love sharing my B-day with my Mom and very close to Matt. I can't believe you remember things so well from your childhood. I sure wish my memories were so vivid.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA!

charrette said...

What a fabulous birthday gift. My hubby's younger brother was born on his birthday too. They have always been close. I don't know if there's such a thing as a birthday bond or not, but I like to think so.

For your birthday I'm going to gift you a song on i-Tunes. Hopefully you have an eye-pod so you can hear it. :)

Lesley said...

What a great story (and I can't believe your nephew hit the same date too!) You're a wonderful big sister and he's a lucky brother! My youngest shares her birthday with my sister. I didn't think I'd hit that date in a million years so I was in denial when labor started. My sister was thrilled though.

Amber said...

Well, I'm two days late, but happy belated birthday Lisa (and Micah). Thanks for posting your story. I remember my parents both being worried about your mom and Micah. Grandma once told me she thought that they let you kids in and let you touch Micah because they didn't know if he was going to even make it. Don't know if that's true or not, but it's cool that you were the first one to touch your new baby brother. And I'm glad that he DID make it. Oh, and feel free to leave your childhood memories posted all over your blog. I love to remember times with you guys as kids. Those were definitely the good ol' days! :)