Monday September 10th, 2008 was the most exciting and memorable day
of my entire life. I got to be a part of an amazing experience. I witnessed the birth
of my second cousin, Drayk Murphy Boyd. I consider myself very lucky to have
been able to go through this with my first cousin Jennifer, Drayk's mother. I
learned a lot about birth and I now understand the birth process.

Drayk is now my godson as well as my second cousin. He became my
godson a couple months after his birth. I witnessed many things during his birth
that I had not seen before. He filled a space in my heart that I never knew was
empty.

I woke up on a Sunday September 9th, 2008 at my friend Stephanie's
house to my phone ringing. It was my cousin Jennifer. "Guess who's in labor!"
she exclaimed. I was so excited! My heart dropped and I was thrilled because I
was going to have a new baby cousin. I wondered to myself, "Why is Jennifer
calling me while she's in labor?" She called to ask if I could help her and her
husband Johnbrian out by going to the TMC hospital to watch their three
daughters. I agreed and called my mom to pick me up from Stephanie's house.

My mom rushed over to get me and on our way to the hospital, Jennifer
called again and stated, "Change of plans. Can we meet at the Tucson Mall?"
I did not understand why we were meeting there, but once I arrived, she
explained that my Tia offered to take the girls and that walking around for awhile
would help the baby come faster. I walked around the mall with Jennifer and
Johnbrian for about thirty minutes, then we went back to the hospital. Drayk
still was not ready to come out! So they sent us home. I went with them back to
their apartment to stay the night.

Four hours later at four AM, Johnbrian woke me up and said, "It's time to
go back to the hospital." We continued to walk around once we got there to try
and get the "show on the road". All three of us walked back to our assigned
room. Jennifer and my relationship became closer during the two days we spent
together. We are now at the point where we can tell eachother anything! I
remember trying to stay awake with Jennifer the second time we went to the
hospital. I was exhausted. Jennifer had just gotten the morphine and the
epidural. I stepped out for the epidural because I really did not want to see a
huge needle go into my cousin's back! That was the only time I left Jennifer's
side. After awhile, the morphine kicked in. I remember when one nurse came in
and asked Jennifer if she wanted some apple juice. I looked into the cup and it
was half frozen and looked like a slushy. Jennifer got excited and drank the
whole cup. She asked for a refill. When I stayed up with her, she was talking
to me about the most random things. I remember her saying, "This apple juice is
so good! It's the best apple juice I have ever tasted in my whole life!" It was
hilarious! So I just sat there and listened to her go on and on.

Every once in awhile I would glance over at the heartbeat machine and
just listen to Drayk's little heartbeat. I can still see the lines moving up and down
on that machine. Then the three of us ended up falling asleep for about two
hours.

At eleven AM, Jennifer woke up and started having pains. Her water
broke. It had seemed like that was never going to happen! The doctor and a few
nurses came in. I was so excited and nervous at the same time. Jennifer started
pushing and Drayk came out fast. It was beautiful! My heart just dropped when I
heard his cry. I had the honor of cutting his cord. I was overwhelmed with a
feeling of love when I saw him come out. He was the most beautiful baby I had
ever seen. I can remember that day vivdly. I can still hear Drayk's heartbeat and
his very first cry.

Anxiety. Excitement. Exhaustion. Love. I thought I would have been
grossed out by the whole birth process but I wasn't. I enjoyed every moment of
being with Jennifer every step of the way. It was a very memorable few days.
A whole new human being was brought into this world. He is now two and a half
years old and is still the most beautiful thing in my life. I will not ever forget this
day.