"That Day" by Courtney H

 I remember that day so vividly.

It was April 16, 2012 (the day after spring break ended). The sun was beaming through the blinds on my window. I woke up to my alarm clock at 6:45 am, got in the shower, put on my school uniform, and went to sit with my mom for breakfast. I walked out of my room not expecting to see my dad. I asked why he was still here and not have yet left for work. Irritated yet excited he answered, “Your sister has been calling me since 3 am because she thinks she’s in labor, so we’re going to the hospital.” At that moment, I didn’t know if I was more excited to finally meet my nephew or get an extra day of vacation. I quickly changed out of my uniform and into regular clothes and rushed my parents to leave so we can get to the hospital. My eagerness and excitement made the fifteen minute car ride to Kaiser Ontario feel like an hour drive. When we arrived, there were already so many family members and friends to crowd the room. Everyone was expecting the arrival of baby Titan.

After almost five hours of impatiently waiting in the waiting room we were notified that we can meet baby Titan. Thrilled, we rushed through the narrow doorway to go hold him and congratulate the new parents. The baby was passed from family member to family member and the room was filled with joy and contentment. After the initial excitement of the new baby came worry and sadness for Kendra. She was rushed into emergency surgery due to complications during the delivery. Adding to the stress of her heading into surgery, we had to find a way to keep James calm. As any man would be, he was worried about what would happen to his wife. The only thing going through his head was losing the love of his life and having to raise a newborn son on his own. Silent prayers and wishes filled the waiting room. As a family, we comforted one another and spread as much positivity as we could. We hoped and prayed that this moment of euphoria wouldn’t be covered by distress and heartbreak. The excitement in the waiting room a few moments ago turned into quiet stillness. My mom and I walked down to the hospital gift shop to try and distract ourselves from the sadness on the second floor. When we came back to the waiting room there was no change. We waited, and waited, and waited. Eagerness turned into uneasiness. Tears of joy turned into sniffles. Time seemed to be going so slow. Hours went by as we waited hoping the doctor would come out and give us the good news that surgery went well and she would be able to go home in no time. Around 1 am the doctors came in and gave us the news that Kendra’s surgery went well and she should be expected to recover fully. All the negative thoughts that clouded our mind were lifted and a sense of serenity overcame the room.

After almost 15 hours at the hospital, all of my emotions that kept me awake and alert were converted into exhaustion. My parents made the decision to take me home and try to get some rest. The next day we went back to the hospital. In that moment we felt no external worries; we just wanted to be there for each other.

That day, I learned that you can’t always control situations and that things won’t always go as expected. I learned to appreciate life and cherish the ones around me. I am appreciative of my nephews and my family. Four years later, my sister is as healthy as can be and Titan is now a four year old boy that loves to run and play with his little brothers Chase and Noel.