09/01/13 - NNHS Newsletter - September Song

- William Wordsworth, September
(07 April 1770 - 23 April 1850)

September 01, 1939 - The Wound Badge for Wehrmacht, SS, Kriegsmarine, and Luftwaffe soldiers was instituted. The final version of the Iron Cross was also instituted on this date.

September 01, 1939 - Switzerland mobilized its forces and the Swiss Parliament elected Henri Guisan to head the Swiss Army (an event that can happen only during war or mobilization).

September 01, 1939 - Adolf Hitler signed an order to begin the systematic euthanasia of mentally ill and disabled people.

September 01, 1942 - A federal judge in Sacramento, CA, upheld the wartime detention of Japanese-Americans as well as Japanese nationals.

September 01, 1945 - The U.S. received official word of Japan's formal surrender that ended World War II. In Japan, it was actually September 2nd.

Sunday, September 01, 1963 - Singer Carola Smit (BZN) was born Carola Sier-Smit in Volendam, .

   OH, NO! I'm so very sorry to hear this, Joe! We've used Linda's music at least a couple of times in the past:

http://www.nnhs65.com/01-10-07-NNHS-Somewhere-Out-There.html

http://www.nnhs65.com/01-10-12-NNHS-Somewhere-Out-There.html

   We do have an opening coming up this week, so we'll try this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvTvSSztu50 - Don't Know Much - Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville, 1990

   Thank you for letting me know, Adonis! Our prayers will be with Linda and her family.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Ronstadt

http://perezhilton.com/fitperez/2013-08-28-linda-ronstadt-diagnosed-with-parkinsons-can-no-longer-sing#sthash.OtXiZK7C.dpbs

http://mimo.recordingconnection.com/linda-ronstadt-has-parkinsons-can-no-longer-sing/965921/

http://top40.about.com/b/2013/08/24/linda-ronstadt-says-parkinsons-disease-has-ended-her-singing-career.htm

    AHA!    We have a winner in our Who Is Paying Attention Contest! Thanks, Bill!

   Katie was hundreds of miles away from me when she gave birth to her son who is still just a toddler, and I have no idea how difficult childbirth may have been for her. I couldn't resist posting that image she sent me (if for no other reason than it fit so well our "Don't Worry, Baby" theme that day. I was intrigued by the lumping of all childhood pain in the same category, and was hoping to elicit a response of how that could be possible.

   I myself had such incredibly easy labors, births, and recoveries that I rarely mention them in the presence of other woman for fear they will throttle me. I was a total slug for at least the last five months of each pregnancy, so perhaps that qualifies as my sacrifice (though I doubt it).

   You no doubt recall that I said that childbirth was nowhere near as painful as gallstones, and the pain of kidney stones tripled that. In April of 2012 I passed two kidney stones, passed out with the first, and seriously thought I would not survive the second. That's as much physical pain as I ever want to endure, but how can that be measured?

   When my first son was born nearly 43 years ago, I was scared and uncomfortable (I knew nothing of correct labor breathing techniques), but in the next room, a gal named Ellie was delivering her tiny baby (exactly half the size of mine) by breach birth - and her heart wrenching screams could be heard all through the halls. There is no doubt she was suffering far more pain than I, but how can such things be measured?

   When my second son was born 18 months later, it actually felt good. I asked the attendant to look to see if there might be a twin coming so I could do it again. There was not. SHHH! I never tell anyone this story for fear of my life. 

   You asked why someone would willingly go through such an experience. I've wondered this often as I've considered the plight of hangovers. I cannot conceive that anyone would ever get drunk, knowing what would await them. I was only drunk once in my life, on January 27, 1967. (How did I know two gin fizzes would do such a thing? They tasted like fabulous fruit punch!) The next morning I awoke with THE most horrible headache, and vowed I'd never touch another drop. Less than five weeks later I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and covenanted never to imbibe alcoholic beverages again, so for me the whole thing became moot.

   We all have choices to make, and those choices all have consequences, and we all do what we can to deal with that in our lives; I try not to judge others for the choices they might make.

   But why do women keep having babies in spite of pain? Did poor Ellie consent to try again after what she had endured? I don't know. I can only answer for myself. I had seven children because I wanted them. I loved AND liked them - when they were babies, when they were toddlers and running me ragged, when they were rambunctious and noisy, and yes, even when they were teenagers. I rejoiced in snow days and summer vacations, because that gave us more play time together. I cried when they went off to school and when they moved out because pieces of my heart moved with them.

   So there you go, Bill; I  hope this answered your question.

   (Aw, c'mon; y'all knew I was weird from the git-go!)