It's Your Dad's Birthday Today!
Today is my birthday. I was born on April 26, 1969 a little after midnight. It was Saturday morning. I think the official time that I breathed my first breath of sweet air was 1:24 AM.
My mom (your grandmother... or "yiayia" in Greek) was at a party at my Theia Sophoula's house in Ferndale. The word "theia" means "aunt" and the word "theio" means "uncle" in Greek. Theia Sophoula is my dad's sister, so if she was alive, she'd be your great-aunt. Theia Sophoula was a wonderul person. Next to my own parents, she was one of my favorite people to know. She died a few years ago. Her death was sudden and tragic. Our entire family was in the hospital room and watched her die as they turned off her life-support. I really miss her. If my bulletin board is actually working when you're old enough to read this (I doubt it will be), you can read a little bit about her by clicking here.
April 25 was my Theio Markos' nameday. Older immigrant Greeks used to celebrate namedays instead of birthdays for some reason. Namedays are based on patron saints. Not sure if it's their birthday or the day they entered sainthood. All Greek names are somehow tied to a saint.
My parents were there celebrating with all our direct and indirect Greek relatives. I wasn't supposed to be born until May 17th, so my mom wasn't even thinking about childbirth. At some point during the night on April 25th, 1969, her water broke. Since I was her first-born, she didn't even know what was happening. At first she thought she wet her pants, but the amniotic fluid kept flowing. At that point, my dad drove her to Beaumont hospital in Royal Oak, and I was born at 1:24 AM. They had to cut my mom open because I wasn't upside down in her womb like I was supposed to be. I was coming out feet first, so they had to do a cesarean section. As soon as I saw light, I was born! Yup, your dear ol' dad was a baby once too! I'll always be a big ol' "bebaros" to my parents, as you will be (or a "bebara" if you're a girl). I'm 36 years old today, and I still yearn the nurture of my mother. To my parents, regardless of my age, I'll always be their baby. The same will hold true with you.
Since today is my birthday, I have been thinking about you a little more than usual. What are your mother and I going to be doing on October 6 when you're supposed to be born? Will you want to get out of the womb three weeks early? What will your birthday mean to your mom and I? I know what my birthday means to me, but I have no idea what a birthday means to an actual parent! I am so excited for you!
And I do remember my childhood birthdays. I don't remember the specifics like what presents I received or what flavor my birthday cakes were, but I do remember that my birthdays were exciting, and I looked forward to them year after year! It was a day to get spoiled by all your family and friends. I will do everything in my power to make sure you have fond memories of your childhood birthdays. Your mother and I are going to spoil you rotten.
And just think about this... I am writing to you about the story my parents told me about my day of birth, we'll tell you about yours when you're old enough to understand, and maybe you'll tell a similar story to your children when they're old enough to understand. It's crazy to comprehend that you'll be reading this someday.
My mom (your grandmother... or "yiayia" in Greek) was at a party at my Theia Sophoula's house in Ferndale. The word "theia" means "aunt" and the word "theio" means "uncle" in Greek. Theia Sophoula is my dad's sister, so if she was alive, she'd be your great-aunt. Theia Sophoula was a wonderul person. Next to my own parents, she was one of my favorite people to know. She died a few years ago. Her death was sudden and tragic. Our entire family was in the hospital room and watched her die as they turned off her life-support. I really miss her. If my bulletin board is actually working when you're old enough to read this (I doubt it will be), you can read a little bit about her by clicking here.
April 25 was my Theio Markos' nameday. Older immigrant Greeks used to celebrate namedays instead of birthdays for some reason. Namedays are based on patron saints. Not sure if it's their birthday or the day they entered sainthood. All Greek names are somehow tied to a saint.
My parents were there celebrating with all our direct and indirect Greek relatives. I wasn't supposed to be born until May 17th, so my mom wasn't even thinking about childbirth. At some point during the night on April 25th, 1969, her water broke. Since I was her first-born, she didn't even know what was happening. At first she thought she wet her pants, but the amniotic fluid kept flowing. At that point, my dad drove her to Beaumont hospital in Royal Oak, and I was born at 1:24 AM. They had to cut my mom open because I wasn't upside down in her womb like I was supposed to be. I was coming out feet first, so they had to do a cesarean section. As soon as I saw light, I was born! Yup, your dear ol' dad was a baby once too! I'll always be a big ol' "bebaros" to my parents, as you will be (or a "bebara" if you're a girl). I'm 36 years old today, and I still yearn the nurture of my mother. To my parents, regardless of my age, I'll always be their baby. The same will hold true with you.
Since today is my birthday, I have been thinking about you a little more than usual. What are your mother and I going to be doing on October 6 when you're supposed to be born? Will you want to get out of the womb three weeks early? What will your birthday mean to your mom and I? I know what my birthday means to me, but I have no idea what a birthday means to an actual parent! I am so excited for you!
And I do remember my childhood birthdays. I don't remember the specifics like what presents I received or what flavor my birthday cakes were, but I do remember that my birthdays were exciting, and I looked forward to them year after year! It was a day to get spoiled by all your family and friends. I will do everything in my power to make sure you have fond memories of your childhood birthdays. Your mother and I are going to spoil you rotten.
And just think about this... I am writing to you about the story my parents told me about my day of birth, we'll tell you about yours when you're old enough to understand, and maybe you'll tell a similar story to your children when they're old enough to understand. It's crazy to comprehend that you'll be reading this someday.
1 Comments:
Got this email from my mom today. I figured it's great history for our baby:
Dinio mou
what can I say I am so glad you are going to be a parent, and you love your child so much.
Idont know why but Dad and I cried with your letter to your child. This is how much we love and even more than you love your child.
We wanted you so much and we were so excited and happy when we found out we were pregnant.
What a beautiful day and how many wonderful memories I am so emotional and tears aare coming down my cheeks.
I am so glad that you are so happy waiting for your own bebaros to come, and dont forget as long as we live you will be my own bebaros.
I loved all those letters and I read them all Dinio mou and this is crazy isn't it? Your bebaros or your bebara will read all those in the future the letters that you wore on your birthday.
Thanks for making me so happy today and thanks for reminding me everything that happened on that special day,
Happy birthday my son and we both love you very much
Momma and Dad
By Dino, at 4:51 PM
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