Once upon a time I had a friend who was a middle child. She was an eldest daughter between a precious son and an adorable daughter. She was the kind of child who chafed at constriction, who felt injustice and inequality, who was determined to have her own way even if it hurt.
She made some choices that were painful for friends and family alike. But time wore down the edges, softened attitudes and then life blossomed. She joyfully awaited the birth of a child. Like many things with her, it was a high risk endeavour. She didn’t do things the easy way. Doctors said they’d ensure the delivery was a safe one.
The child arrived, but the delivery wasn’t safe. There came baby, blood, coma and after a time of lingering, she left. A final injustice.
She didn’t get to see her baby grown into an amazing young woman. She didn’t get to become all she could have been herself. But she lives on in our memories, and on her birthday, a tear may fall…
Thinking of her today.
Shawn L. Bird 