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  • With Mayo Clinic certified nurse-midwife

    Mary Murry, R.N., C.N.M.

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  • June 9, 2009

    Blog: Reflections on parenting

    By Mary Murry, R.N., C.N.M.

3 comments posted

I'm going outside of my usual blog style today. I want to tell you about my daughter, Aimee.

Aimee graduated from college yesterday. She did the five-year plan, which I understand isn't that uncommon. As I watched her walk across the stage to get her diploma, I had trouble believing that almost 23 years had gone by since I snatched her out of my best friend and midwife's hands, crying "She's so beautiful!" In truth, though, Aimee really wasn't looking that great. The cord had been wrapped around her neck three times and she was a tad purple — but when I got her into my arms, all was right with the world. I was calm while my husband and the others in and around the room laughed and cried. (How many people were there and how they got there is another story!) I just looked at Aimee's round, purple face and everything was good and I was at peace.

As I watched Aimee graduate yesterday, I got to thinking that I couldn't have known who she would turn out to be. I certainly didn't know when I walked the floors with her every night as she cried and cried that someday Aimee would be kind and giving and adventurous.

Also, I don't remember thinking about what it would mean to have children. Even though Aimee was my third child, I think I was still somehow innocent or, more likely, in denial about the demands and responsibilities of parenting. It's only in retrospect that I've realized what a challenging job parenting truly is. When our children are growing up, we're often so busy doing the parenting that there isn't room for much else. Yesterday, however, I had plenty of time to remember the good and the bad, the best and the worst, and know that I still haven't lost that sense of peace and rightness I experienced the day Aimee was born. Being a parent isn't for everyone — but I will be eternally grateful that it is for me.

3 comments posted

blog index

  • June 17, 2009 5:27 p.m.

    Remember to make portraits of your special time - playful or serious they will be family keepsakes! Thanks for your great work.

    - John Lynner Peterson

  • June 15, 2009 11:25 a.m.

    Mary, What a great story! your right parenting is not for everyone! hope all is well and hopefully we will be seeing you in in the near future with an addition! Think of you often!!

    - Alex Hansen

  • June 10, 2009 1:06 p.m.

    great story, thanks for sharing.

    - Lisa, Newton, IA

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