Essay #1
The phone rang; it was 4:30 a.m. My sister-in-law was on the other end of the line frantically telling me to hurry up and get home. I hung up the phone, put my head back down, and fell back to sleep. A few minutes later, the phone rang for a second time, but this time, it was my brother. He told me that they were currently on their way to the hospital. I quickly gathered my things, and within half an hour, I was on my way to the hospital. Hours later, I nervously arrived at the hospital. My clammy hands slid off the steering wheel as my feet unsteadily hit the parking lot pavement. Nearing the doors of the hospital, I felt my regret for not paying attention to the first phone call rise up. I hurried to the elevator, the smell of the sterile hospital air wafting me in the face. The tension in the air was so thick that I could cut it with a knife. Meeting up with my mom and dad, I could see that they were equally anxious and nervous for this moment. I walked quietly into my sister-in-law’s room. I still hadn’t grown used to seeing her in this precarious way (a large, protruding belly). My concern for her was so apparent, my fidgeting was easily giving me away. Giving her a hug, I sensed how aware she was of what was about to happen. I would compare it to that of a child not wanting to have its loose tooth pulled but knows it’s going to happen anyways. After our brief greeting, I slid out the door because the nurse was going to administer an epidural. The day our family had eagerly been awaiting was here. My sister-in-law was going into labor, and I was going to be able to view the birth. Because of our closeness, we had been planning for this day ever since she found out that she was pregnant. The time had come, and neither one of us were prepared for this first. Little did I know what I was in for. The hours went by slowly as I paced back and forth in the plain hallways that had witnessed many life-changing events. Dinnertime quickly came and passed, and the contractions had come to be within a few minutes of each other. I wanted this to be over with so she wouldn’t be in pain any longer. Fifteen and a half hours into that nerve-racking trial, I saw her begin to go into labor heavily. Her blood pressure rose very dramatically. Her screams pricked me, and for the first time, I truly felt how fragile humanity is. I prayed that this trial would pass quickly. With every stressed breath, I could see her face flush red, and the deep agony of the moment grip her very being. Her blood pressure was so high, that she was dangerously close to having a stroke. Her insulting curse words had become a flood of words towards my poor brother. With every minute that passed, her growing unrest and excruciating pain was becoming unbearable to watch. The room was full of immense troubled concern. The time had finally arrived. At 9:25 p.m., the baby’s head crowned, quickly followed by the shoulders and rest of the body. Sliding into the world, it was a girl! I saw the relief wash over my sister-in-law’s face like the calm after a storm. That I was able to view this miraculous event floored me. While comforting her, I began to cry happily. Relief was flowing out with my tears; I was thankful to have been there to see this miracle come into the world. I was also overcome with joy when I heard the baby cry; that first, ear-splitting wail. That sound coming from the baby was one I won’t ever forget. I was extremely relieved that it was all over with, like runners finally catching their breath after racing to the finish. In that moment, I held the most immense regard for my mom, knowing that she had gone through this final stage of creation three times. I had always heard that the physical pain of giving birth is quite immense, but that it is always immediately replaced by the peace of hearing that newborn test out its lungs. In particular, I learned that my sister-in-law’s struggle and perseverance could result in a beautiful ending: a new life.