U3A Writing: My Arrival
Gerry Collins tells of a once-in-a-lifetime event that we all experience.
I can’t remember being born - because it’s really a once in a lifetime experience.
I was born on a Saturday morning in the middle of May, which I feel is as good a time as any to enter the world. I - mean - it saved my father from having to take time off work, and I had all the summer months to look forward to.
If I could recall it I suppose the first thing that I would have been aware of would be the brightness of daylight. Having lived the first nine months of my life in complete darkness, this would be a completely new experience to me.
I tried to focus but had to screw up my eyes. Then, I managed to gulp a great breath of air, and – an enormous sound came out of my mouth.
That really scared me. Was that me? I did it again, my eyes filled with tears, and I was crying. I kicked my legs and threw out my arms but it didn’t stop.
Not until they wrapped me in a blanket and placed me in my mother’s arms. That felt more familiar and I found that I was now quiet.
I looked up into her face. She was smiling and looked good to me, so I was obviously everything that she had hoped for.
I was exhausted. I closed my eyes and went to sleep. Boy – that was some experience!
