One Year into her Reign as Princess
One year ago today . . .
My brother became Daddy
My sister-in-law became Mommy
My Mom became 2Gran
& I became AUNT Shannon
One of the best year’s ever. But, let me start from the beginning . . .
One year ago yesterday I got a panicked phone call from my older brother. As soon as I picked up the phone I heard, “GO TO THE HOSPITAL, NOW!” Knowing that it was almost time for the arrival of a new baby into the family I had a feeling this was the reason I was going to the hospital. Trying to calm him (something I rarely have to do, in fact it’s typically the opposite, him giving me the “chill out” talk). I’m not sure I responded in the best way but I said, “Is there something going on?” His response, “SHANNON, DO YOU SERIOUSLY THINK I’D BE CALLING YOU IF THERE WASN’T SOMETHING GOING ON!?!” I knew then I just needed to get to the hospital. He tells me to go to St. Joe on Harrodsburg Road, thankfully I was close by, as my house is only a few miles away. However, I arrived at St. Joe to some interesting news. There’s no labor and delivery unit at St. Joe. I call Michael back, he says, “No, no, no, go to St. Joe EAST.” If you’re familiar with Lexington, I had to get to the entirely opposite side of town, & it just so happened to be very close to 5PM, nonetheless, off I go.
I pull into the parking lot, see my Dad’s truck and my cousin Douglas. Michael has apparently called both of them panic stricken as well. However, as I get out of my car I ask, “why are you just standing in the parking lot?” Well, we can’t find her!?! Ohh no, hospital number 2 & still no sister-in-law. Calling Michael again I say, we’ve been to St. Joe and St. Joe East, any other ideas? At this point it becomes a little funny. He is clueless to say the least, so I call my sister-in-law. A last resort, considering she’s in labor, but if I don’t call her it’s likely I’ll be driving all over Lexington for the remainder of the evening, rather than get to where I need to be. Thankfully she answers and we find out we’re actually suppose to be at Central Baptist. Another trip across Lexington & we’re finally at the right hospital. Moments after converging at the right hospital we find my sister-in-law and I call my brother to let him know we’ve made it.
Upon answering the phone my brother says, “PLEASE TELL ME YOU’VE FOUND THE RIGHT HOSPITAL THIS TIME!” In fact, we finally did, not in thanks to you though. J Michael then continues his ranting on the phone, “I CAN’T FIND THIS BAG!?!” My response, “What bag, Michael?” “Katie wants some bag! Who needs a bag to have a baby!?! I don’t understand, why am I looking for some flippin’ bag!?!” Trying to remain calm & not bust out laughing at the panicked state my brother is in (This is a rare occasion, so it’s ok that I laugh at him about it.), I explain to him that there are things a person needs while in the hospital preparing for a baby, and in order to bring the baby home. Eventually he finally came across the bag he was supposed to be finding and then began to make his way to the hospital.
After arriving at the hospital the prominent conversation was, boy or girl? My brother and his wife did not find out what they were having, so of course, at this moment, we’re all making our last minute bets on what it could be!?! My answer: “No clue!”
Katie and I had been sitting in her room for quite a while when my phone rings, my brother was calling. I step outside to answer (thankfully) and answer to , “I CAN’T FIND THE HOSPITAL!” Me: “What!?!” Michael: “Shannon, I know it’s right here, but I can’t find it! Help me!” Yet again caught in the predicament of, trying to remain calm but wanting to bust out laughing at the same time, I say, “Ever been to Commonwealth Stadium?” Michael: “Duh, Shannon!” Me: “Act like you’re driving to a football game at Commonwealth but before you get to the right turn, there’s the hospital.” Michael: “I FOUND IT!” Me: Hang up the phone, bust out laughing! As a little sister to someone who is fearless, there have been few moments in my life when I can laugh at my brother’s panicked state, so I took full advantage.
Katie was only in the beginning stages of labor so later that evening I went home to get a few hours of shut eye before welcoming the new Marshall baby into the family the next day. When we were making bets about the gender of the baby my response was, “no clue!” That all changed in my few hours of sleep before coming back to the hospital. That night I had a dream, about a little girl with black curly hair. I walked into the waiting room the next morning and announced to everyone, “it’s a girl & she has black curly hair!” Being the sole person who continuously said, “no clue” on the baby gender question throughout Katie’s pregnancy, my family was quite shocked when I was so certain of my answer. That night I had fallen asleep praying for this new little one who would be entering the world and had a dream that it was a girl, I was certain now.
Hours later, the time drawing nearer, everyone was still making last minute bets in the waiting room on what the gender of the baby was, I stood firm, girl. Katie’s Dad went back to stand close to hear the news the moment the baby arrived into the world. Moments later, we hear footsteps running down the hall, it’s Frank, he ambushes into the waiting room, “IT’S A GIRL!!!” Just steps behind him is my brother, he looks straight at me, “SHANNON!!” Me: “What?” Michael: “IT’S A GIRL WITH BLACK CURLY HAIR!!!” I gave my brother a big hug then ran back to meet the new addition.
Mary Emily Marshall entered the world on November 9, 2010. Now, let me tell you, on November 8th, 2010, as my sister-in-law sat in a hospital bed in labor I told her, “I don’t do babies.” Well, for the past 365 days I have eaten those words and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.
There’s one precious treasure, a baby girl who changed my entire thinking and world. After she arrived and the nurses whisked her off to the nursery I followed them. I stood outside the nursery window and watched her every move. Three and half hours later, someone walked up to me & said, “Are you ok?” Me: “Yes, why?” Well, you’ve been standing here for nearly four hours! What!?! No way! I had stood staring at a precious baby girl for three & a half hours! THREE & A HALF HOURS!
I’m thankful God gave me a special reason to eat the words, “I don’t do babies.” This year has proven to me that I am crazy about a special little girl. She is worth the eating of my words and a whole lot more.
Here are a few of the things I love most about my Mary Emily:
· her giggles
· the way she makes her Mommy & Daddy so happy
· her snuggles
· her fierce independence
· her opinionated sassy nature (even at one J)
· watching her grow
· her enthusiasm for life
· her smile
· watching her learn new things
Mary Emily is a sweet treasure, one that will always be the reason I went from Shannon to Aunt Shannon. I treasure every moment I am able to spend with her, and always crave more. Being an aunt is by far the greatest blessing I have known.
As an Aunt there are a few things I will always want Mary Emily to know:
· the love of Jesus
· the joy of giving
· that no matter where the road leads, I will always love her
· that sometimes a simple smile can go a long way
· that I’m always happy to listen
· that her faith will take her on great journeys
I know I’m not this precious little girls Mom or Dad but I can say, I’ve never known a love as great or deep as the love I have for this little girl. I can’t thank my brother and sister-in-law enough for the time they’ve allowed me to treasure their sweet little girl.
Throughout this year I’ve reflected on my own life and who I am or becoming. I have, more than once, through prayer asked God to let His light shine through me. As I watch this sweet little one grow, I think of how much I desire her to know the love of Jesus and how I want to be a representation of the love Jesus has for His children. I find myself taking steps back and thinking more deeply about simple things, as I want to make decisions that I’d be proud of Mary Emily for making. I hope that God will show himself through me, as there’s nothing I long for this little princess to know more than the love of her heavenly King.
Mary Emily – you are the greatest blessing I have ever known. I love you more everyday and it excites me to know that God has laid out your every step. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to be your Aunt. I love you to the moon and back sweet princess!
