Birth Guesses

A sweet memory I have from this time 7 years ago is how friends and family gave predicted birth guesses for Lily, from the day she would be born, to the time and her weight. 

The people I asked for guesses were my immediate family, the ladies at my baby shower, and friends on Facebook. I am thankful to have everyone's guesses documented in Lily's scrapbook. What a happy memory! Each date that would pass, we would say "so and so wasn't correct!" My brother, Joseph, had guessed her birthday would be February 29th, but then changed it to March 1st when he realized 2010 wasn't a leap year. I thought that was funny. ;)

It's interesting to look back now, knowing the answers: March 16th at 4:24 p.m. and 7 pounds 9 ounces.

My mom's friend, Ruby, is the only person who guessed the correct date. If you remember, Ruby just passed away last month. So this memory is extra special now. It's crazy to think that not only is the baby we were talking about gone now, but so is the person who guessed her correct birthday.

It was funny when she shared her prediction and asked what the prize was for guessing the closest. I jokingly asked her if that was the only reason she was participating, in hopes of a prize. She responded: "The prize will be getting to hold her the first time the winner sees her. That is enough. Ooooh, aaaaah, she is so cute, oh look at that little nose, oh her fingers are so tiny, look at those cute little feet, she looks just like her granddaddy Chuck. hahahaha." Ruby has finally gotten her "prize" of holding and meeting Lily. Instead of holding and meeting her on Earth, she and her husband attended Lily's Celebration of Life Service.

Her grandson was also born in March 2010. She had been my mom's good friend since they were 5 and 6. Their grandchildren would now be older than the age they were when they became friends. How special it would have been to have grandchildren growing up literally at the same time. Instead, they both did have grand babies born the same month, but one is now almost 7 and the other is a forever baby, buried in a cemetery in Virginia.

Oh, and there's my guess... March 12th. Now that's the date I believe that instead of her being born into this world, she was born into Heaven. That's when the sciatica pain started and it felt as if she was floating in my body. Maybe somehow deep down God gave me that date, knowing that's when she would be with Him for always.

(click on photos below to enlarge them)