June 6, 1980

Most people remember June 6th as D-Day in World War II. This morning, I was watching the D-Day ceremony with my dad, and it was a very touching event. I remember June 6th for something much different, though. On June 6, 1980, my first child was born. Savannah Lee Hedgecoth was due in September, but she was stillborn three months earlier. The pregnancy was a very happy occasion for me, although it was was problematic almost from the very beginning. Very soon after I found out that I was pregnant, I began having some troubles with spotting and bleeding. I was living in Van Horn, Texas in West-West Texas. The town was very small, and there was only one doctor that I can remember. When I went to him with my troubles, he told me that the best thing to do would be to have a DNC, in other words - an abortion. He said that he had seen this type of problem before, and the DNC was the best thing to do. I refused, because I wanted to have this baby. A month or so later, I drove myself to Savannah in my little MG Midget. That was some ride! I took three days to do it. I also stopped in Dallas to visit my cousin Lee and spend one night with him and his family. I think that I may have been the first one in Lee's family to see baby Sarah. She was a cutie. I drove on to Savannah and stayed a while. Then, we moved back to Tennessee. Well, all through the six month pregnancy there were problems. The bleeding never really stopped, and there was a lot of pain during the whole time. One day, I began to hurt really bad in my back and lower abdomen. The pain felt a lot like a terrible stomachache or stomach bug. This lasted for a couple of days. Then one day, the pains began to be regular, and I noticed that no baby movements were being made. I was home alone most of this time, and I didn't really know what to do. By some miracle, some friends came by for a visit. I told them what was happening, and they got me to the hospital. As soon as I was checked by the doctor, they told me there was no heartbeat. The nurse said, "You are young. You can have more." Those words were the meanest ones that I thought I had ever heard! I wanted THIS baby. The words were not words of comfort. I had just been to the hospital earlier that week to sign up for Childbirth classes, and one of the nurses recognized me from that trip. She was my nurse that night, and was very kind to me. Anyway, I had been in labor for two days, but I did not realize it. Savannah's birth was the only natural childbirth I experienced, as my other two were by c-section. When she was born, I wanted to look at her so badly. They took her and started doing things to her, but she would not breathe or cry. She was already gone. The doctor said that the fluid had already gone away or dried up, so she had been dead for a while inside of me. I never did get to see her. Nowadays, I am sure they would let me look at her and hold her, but that didn't happen for me. After going to my regular room, the nurses started bringing me a shot or some medicine, "so that you won't produce any milk", they said. This whole thing was just so surreal. I couldn't believe that it had really happened. I cannot describe the feeling. I had just given birth and had feelings of euphoria, I guess. Maybe that is how you feel right after a natural birth. Since my other two were by c-section, I will never know if that is how you feel right after a birth. Anyway, the whole thing was just unbelievable, but it had really happened. Before I got out of the hospital, they buried Savannah in the Big Lick Cemetery. She is in a pretty spot out in the country, but I never even got to see the burial. Carter B made a nice little gravestone for her with a little lamb on it. I haven't been up there in a long time, so I haven't been able to visit her. When I lived up there, I made frequent visits. So 29 years ago today, I had my first little girl. I know that she is in heaven, and my mamma is enjoying her now. Mamma never did get to hold Little Dewey, III, so I hope she is enjoying holding Savannah Lee as much as she wants!! Savannah was a tiny little thing, so Mamma shouldn't have any trouble holding and cradling her. I am sure she is getting a lot of kisses and hugs from her Grandma, so I know they are okay now together. June 6, 1980 was a sad day for me, and I don't think it is one that I will ever quite get over. I just don't see how anyone could get totally over the loss of a child. Two years after this experience, I was blessed with another daughter, Rachel, and she is a wonderful person. Then two years after that, I was blessed with a son, Adam, who is also wonderful. I have two terrific children for whom I am very thankful. God's plan was for me to only have two children, because I had a lot of female troubles and had a hysterectomy when Adam was only one year old. I love my children very much, including Savannah who I only knew for the six months that I carried her. Rachel is 26 and Adam is 24. They will both have birthdays in the late summer, so they will soon be 27 and 25. One can never tell exactly what life is going to throw at you, but God is always there to be by your side and help you along the way. He is the true light in the face of darkness. The scriptures about the light are the ones that have helped me and saved me from many, many trials and periods of sadness. As the song says, Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. His light is forever shining and leading the way. We must make the choice to find His light and follow it. June 6, 1980, 29 years ago, my first child was born. Savannah Lee is in heaven and spreading light and cheer with all who surround her. Thank you God for my blessings, as well as my trials. They have all helped to make me who I am today. They have all made me stronger through my weaknesses, and for that I am forever thankful.