I inadvertently embarrassed Sam at the zoo on Monday. We were standing by the hippo pool, and I noticed something on the sign. “Hey, Sam,” I said, “here’s a trivia question for you. What do both you and that hippo have in common that Gabe doesn’t?” He guessed that they were both almost eight, and that they were both named Samuel, but I said no to both. “It has to do with how you started your lives,” I told him.
“We were born in Ohio?” I said no. The two other boys in our chaperoned group, eavesdropping behind me, started trying to guess, too, but nobody came close.
“You were both born underwater,” I finally told him.
He nodded, not being surprised, but the other boys were mystified. “How was he born in the water?” one asked. I explained very briefly that Sam was born in a pool at home, and they were wide-eyed. “Why didn’t he drown?” Reassurances given, as well as a fond joke (with a squeeze around his shoulders) that Sam had gone for a swim before taking a breath.
“I was born in a hospital,” one boy said. “Me, too,” said the other. And then Sam murmured, “I should have been…”
I suddenly saw that he was embarrassed at being the odd one out, the “different” one. I felt guilty for having said anything where the other kids could hear; eight years old isn’t a time when most kids take pride in being unique, at least not for things they can’t control. I pulled him close and whispered in his ear, “You were born in the most gentle way we could manage. You were born into warm water, with Mom and Dad right there to hold you right away. It was at home, with no scary lights or noises, and it was almost exactly what we wanted for you. It was just right for our family and for you, and I’ll never forget it.” He smiled and squirmed a little.
Then he asked, “Mom? Could you tell them that?” 
Day 1, 2001
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Happy birthday, Eight. I’ll probably embarrass you more in the future, just by being your old mom. I sure do love you more and more every day, though.
I’m doing this race as my first 50K/ultra in July 2012. I’m so tardy to the party but...
Happy birthday, Sam! I sure have loved watching you grow up!
Oh, do I remember that day, too, Carrie!
what a wonderful birther you were, and his arrival was, indeed,peaceful, soft and lovely. God’s continued blessings to each of you. Joy
I remember when Sam was born too! I loved reading about it.
Happy Birthday Sam! Enjoy being eight!
I can always remember how long I’ve been reading by Sam’s birthdays. You were about 5-6 months along when I swung by, and I’ve been here ever since!
Happy birthday, Sam! Eight is great!
Happy Birthday, Sam!
I feel like some distant auntie. :’) I’ve followed his story when he was just a twinkle in your eye.
That photo made my eyes all watery. You did really good work that day, mama. You brought a beautiful soul into the world, and gave him a gentle birth, and a nurturing life thus far.
Happy Birthday Sam!!
Happy Birthday, Sam!
Sam is the reason I’ve been reading you for so long! My daughter’s 8th birthday is coming up next month, and I believe I originaly found you by searching blogs about birth stories while in my last month of pregnancy.
That said, I can completely empathize with his embarassment. I was born at home to a mom whose outlook on childbirth was akin to yours while my peers were all born in hospitals. Growing up, it’s not something I advertised.
He’s so lucky to have such a great mom who is so in tune with how he’s feeling. =)
it’s hard to believe that was 8 years ago! Time goes by so fast!
happy birthday Sam
Happy Birthday to Sam and Happy Birth-Day to you! But it’s really been eight years? I remember when Sam was born, and when you announced that you were finally pregnant.