First Day on Earth !

I remember it like yesterday, a nurse curiously yelled "time of birth?" and Dr.Sonek replied "9:54 am" (I don't think he knew the exact seconds; don't look at my blog like that ... of course it matters). My mother holding my vernix caseosa covered body with zeal: literally (figuratively), her happy tears almost drowned me. Who needs a first bath when you have an emotional mother. While she sweated profusely from her eyeballs, I was screaming to the top of my lungs: it was too early and everything was different from the uterus. 

Listen to unheard audio of me crying as a Newborn (or not) 

Just as I was getting comfortable in the embryonic fluid, my 9-month tenure was up, and on May 22, 2000, I was born Jamie Eltron Gilmore Jr. Each day I wake up thankful to be alive, yet without 5/22/2000 I wouldn't be able to be grateful for this very life. Although my mom told me check-out was on May 23rd, I am filled with distinct honor that my first and last time early was my birth.

When assigned this blog, I was unsatisfied with the dates I initially suggested. None seemed as memorable despite me being more conscious then rather than on the day I was born. As you can tell, I chose. Officially no date can top the start of it all. Unlike my high school graduation, college move-in, or my first pageant: May 22nd is more than an Aha moment when I check the calendar. It's an anticipated day every year, not only for me but for both of my parents as they experienced the birth of their first child. 

May 22, 2004 my first birthday party on a Saturday (always a cool day to have a birthday on ... no school or work)

 For my mother, the night started frightening: her water broke, and with her being a first-time mom to a gigantic headed boy, her nerves were all over the place. May 22nd was monumental for my dad as he offered me his unconditional love and his full name with a bonus suffix.

A year later my mom was six months pregnant with my brother J'von and the anniversary of the day that frightened her motivated her to finish her third trimester in high spirits. 3 years later my cousin Latoya was five months pregnant (my now favorite cousin Faith) and my mom inspired her with the detailed stories from my delivery, assuring her everything would be perfectly fine.

It's going on 21 years this year and this day is still very important to me as it initiated my first day on

earth which allowed me to start this journey called life. In a world of 7 Billion, I was someone's first. On day one I was already considered the eldest of my siblings. The other 365 days (2000 was a leap year) are nice however May 22nd, 2000, is a big day remembered, indefinitely.

A montage of myself as I celebrated two decades of life. (A rare birthday where I took no pictures)