The Birth of Doris Laurayne Wilson, August 30, 1918 (poem)
While three of my uncles
served with the 88th in France,
I was born on their popcorn farm
in Baker Township
midst the hills of Guthrie County
the scorching, fly-pestering
August of 1918, with rumors
of influenza all around.
The ether-soaked cloth
was at the ready
for my mother
to ease the bearing down,
Grandmother's offering
when our babies were born.
Doc Thomas wondered
how my mother knew
I'd be a girl, but
after Delbert and Donald,
maybe our family needed one.
"Can we take her for a ride
in our wagon?" they begged,
bumping against the birthing bed.
Grandmother, still laughing,
shooed them outside
with bread and jam.
Leora said that her mother was there every time she gave birth, even with all their moving around! Sometimes they didn’t have a phone, so must have been kinda tricky.
Thank you for your note. That grandmother was with her through all 8 births (10 children, 2 were sets of twins)! She was also the comforting presence of a great grandmother until I was a freshman in college!
While three of my uncles served with the 88th in France, I was born on their popcorn farm in Baker Township midst the hills of Guthrie County the scorching, fly-pestering August of 1918, with rumors of influenza all around. The ether-soaked cloth was at the ready for my mother to ease the bearing down, Grandmother's offering when our babies were born. Doc Thomas wondered how my mother knew I'd be a girl, but after Delbert and Donald, maybe our family needed one. "Can we take her for a ride in our wagon?" they begged, bumping against the birthing bed. Grandmother, still laughing, shooed them outside with bread and jam.
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I love this birth scene, particularly Grandmother’s role!!
Leora said that her mother was there every time she gave birth, even with all their moving around! Sometimes they didn’t have a phone, so must have been kinda tricky.
What a comfort that must have been. I wanted my mother with me when my daughter was born, but the nurses refused to get her for me.
Was that odd then? Our son was born in Colorado, and was a surprise cesarean so not even Guy was allowed in (1974).
The comforting presence of a grandmother is always best. Thank you for sharing another interesting piece of history! Have a nice week! xx Michael
Thank you for your note. That grandmother was with her through all 8 births (10 children, 2 were sets of twins)! She was also the comforting presence of a great grandmother until I was a freshman in college!
What an adorable baby photo!
I think she may be chewing on her baby locket!