Early on One Frosty Morning

My grandmother gave birth to seven girls and one boy. With seven girls, "bundles of joy" were commonplace. However, the mother of all family births took place on a chilly November morning.

Mom was beautiful, and Dad was a handsome GI returning from military duty. Sparks flew (most likely from that old 1937 Chevy), romance ensued, and marriage was a wink away. Mom, being the fifth sister, graciously accepted advice from siblings on "how to have a baby".

The landscape around my birthplace has dramatically changed. Small dwellings dotted the neighborhood. Now stands stately homes and many commercial venues. Little Town sported a four-bed hospital. Several medical facilities, including a heart center and children's hospital are now nearby.

Mom's routine visit rendered all well and on schedule. Mom was three to four weeks before delivery. With all things in order, Dr. Ben made plans to attend the Army/Navy game, traditionally played on Thanksgiving Day or the following Saturday. The "grunts" and the "squids" continued a long-standing grudge match. As for me, I will wait here until Christmas.

There are some occurrences scheduled or based on accurate time-lines that will not produce desired results. Early Thanksgiving morning panic set in and six aunts and a grandmother went into "Operation Delivery". Chatter came from all directions, call the doctor-take her to the four-bedroom hospital-we cannot take her there because it is closed on holidays-where is the doctor-the doctor is in New York at a ballgame. My grandmother, loathing Dr. Ben by this time, sent my cousin for Miss Ruth, the local midwife.

Our small but caring hometown had no ambulance; instead, we used the funeral parlor's hearse. Miss Ruth called for the hearse and off we went. Most city folks had babies at the hospital 30 miles from Little Town. With her talented hands and compassionate heart, Miss Ruth, the midwife, delivered me in a hearse on Main Street. No, Mom did not make it to the hospital, but the attending physician at Baptist Hospital charged the full delivery fee, $50.00.

To this day, I have an insatiable passion for football. I can remember attending football games at age four. During my school years in Little Town, I missed three high-school games in twelve years. Even now, hubby and I support our favorite college as season ticket holders and booster members.

My family "broke relations" with Dr. Ben. When my turn came to "birth my baby", I chose 83 year old Dr. Ben, who no longer delivered babies. However, with Nurse Kelly holding him up, Dr. Ben delivered one additional baby on Mother's Day eve, my beautiful son.

Score: Army 21 Navy 18

Sources:

Based on family history and personal experience.

Gridiron Glory: The Story of the Army-Navy Football Rivalry, Barry Wilner
www.amazon.com/Gridiron-Glory-Army-Navy-Football

http://cfreference.net/cfr/school.s?id=82&season=1946