Thirty something years ago, on a warm Summer evening in Mexico City, my mother, her boyfriend Marco Antonio, and her dear Australian friend Anna decided to take a break from baby preparations to have a last bit of fun before my expected arrival, which was not for two more weeks. As their friend, the talented Javier Batiz was performing, it was the perfect opportunity to get dressed up and enjoy! I’ve seen the dress my mother was wearing and (giggle) it was a beautiful, white, see-through, flowy, chiffon number! LOL, mom!!!

Once at the club, they danced! However, it was not long before mom started having “gas pains”. She would go into the bathroom, only to come out confused by gas pains, which would not subside. She continued to dance, but still the pains continued as well. Eventually, these pains arrived five minutes apart (mom says I was asking, “Hey! What’s going on out there?” hehe Probably true!). At this point, they decided not to take her to the hospital, but back to the house in which they were all residing.

At the house, mom decided to relax in a warm bath. Marco Antonio went to get the “Mamacita de la Casa” who took one look at mom and said, “Get this woman to a hospital!!!” He went out and somehow managed to get not one, but two cabs (quite the accomplishment at 4am). Quite unfortunately, neither driver knew how to get to the ABC (American British Cowdray) Hospital, so they periodically stopped, asking people for directions, while I got closer and closer to crashing the party! All the while, mom was peacefully doing Lamaze in the backseat.

Upon arrival of the hospital, the alarmed cab driver carried mom into an awaiting staff, who quickly prepped her, and took her directly to the delivery room. Mom had planned on a “natural birth” and she got her wish. While it is most common to drug women giving birth in Mexico, quite fortunately they could not drug Mom as she had been out (partying), they didn’t know if she’d had anything to drink that might interact with the drugs (she hadn’t) and they didn’t want to take a chance. Thirty minutes and three pushes after she arrived, I “swam out”! My life began in Mexico City! Mom always says that I was “like a little Buddha, taking in the World and surroundings”. YAY, World! Thirty some-odd (or even) years later, I am still taking in the World and Loving life! Thank you for sharing my journey with me, beloved ones!