A Mashito Challenge....The Last 19 Years

I remember the day my son was born.  November 4th, 1987.  Not his actual due date, but the day the angels probably had gotten tired of his practical jokes, smart remarks, and tantrums.  He was actually supposed to be born the 22nd.  But, if his stint in Heaven, waiting to come here, was anything like it is now, I can see why they said, "Erik Jerrell Cooper....GO!"

I hadn't gained alot of weight because I walked alot, and was very active.  I could wear my regular clothes, so not many could tell.  They thought I was just staying at the table too much.  I went in for my nine month check-up, and I never thought anything was wrong.  Until they did a sonogram.  My doctor came back to the bed, with a worried look on his face.  And, I started to worry then.  He said, " How do you feel? "   I looked at him, and said, I feel alright.  He said, "You sure?"  Then, he examined me again.  The second time, when he went out, he came back with my regular doctor.  They started rubbing on my stomach; each on either side of the bed.  Dr. Mason looked at me, and said, "your child is obviously jumping, and kicking, and has gotten himself entangled in your umbilical cord.  This presents a risk for both of you, so we are going to have to induce labor, today."  I said, 'Today?'  "Yes, today.  If we don't relieve the pressure, he could suffocate.  We will come back in a little bit, and see if
he has moved anymore, and if not, we will have no choice but to put you in labor." 
I'm worried now.  What in the world is this child doing?  It's funny that he was doing all that moving, yet, they never could tell whether he was a boy, or a girl.  But, I knew he was a boy.  He was too active.  And, I just 'felt' it. 

When they came back in, they told me to relax, and gave me something in my IV to relax me.  I lay there.  Nervous.  Anxious.  Anything but relaxed.  The technician came in with a tray of meds, and inserted something into the IV.  She said it was something to induce my labor.  I was wondering how it could make me go in labor.  After a few minutes, I knew.  OMG.  I started to wrench in pain.  Cramps.  Hitting me back to back.  I was raising up off the bed, they were so bad.  The doctor came in, and tried to console me...but nothing doing.  I was in tears.  Almost screaming.  She said "That's enough.  You can't go through this.   We're going to have to do a emergency C-section.  This baby is ready to be born.  Is there someone you'd like us to call?"  I gave them my sister's number, and drifted off to sleep. 

Moments later, they came in to prep me for surgery, and I was so scared.  I had never been put to sleep.  I wasn't even sure I was ready for this baby.  But, it's going to happen.  Today.  I remember thinking that my whole life would change.  How much this little person would impact the rest of my life.  What would he look like?   So many things to prepare for.  I remember rolling on that bed down the hall to the surgery, so afraid. 

The only thing I could remember was nurses around me, talking to me.  IV's in my arm.  They were laughing and talking.  One told me I would be getting sleepy, and to start counting backwards from 20.  20.  19.  18.  Things started looking light green all around me.  My body felt heavy, and sleepy..........  17......

For the last 19 years, I could have sworn I have been raising two or three kids.  Maybe a comedian-like Gary Coleman, a young rapper by the name of Easy E; brother to Jay Z, and a Allen Iverson.  He always loved music, just like I do.  he thinks he can out "ball" anyone.  And he is a practical joker.  

I look at him sometimes, and I can see why the angels sent him before his due date.  LOL.  He was probably chasing all the little girl angels, playing jokes, and he was gonna tear up Heaven  trying to do jump shots all over the place...