Today we are celebrating 12 years of Emily! What a journey this 12 years has been. God bless the oldest child, whom I have got to practice all my parenting skills on.
The fall of my sophomore year at Kansas State University, Justin and I were surprised to be expecting Emily. Being a student in Family Life and Community Service had personal advantages and Emily became a case study in many of my classes. I took Doula training during my pregnancy and early childhood classes after she arrived. My professors Kelly Welch, Dr. Webb, Tony Jurich, and Karen Myers-Bowman were great support to me as my journey as a parent began. Tony use to find Emily and I in the hallways and sing and dance with her. During my classes with Tony or Kelly you could find Emily in their arms as they delivered their lectures. Dr. Webb and Karen spent a lot of time and energy into guiding me in a career path that I would be passionate and successful at.
During the end of my pregnancy I developed preclampsia and had to be on bed rest for 3 weeks. We joked that Justin became an expert in UNO during this time as he challenged everyone who came to visit to a game of UNO. My professors were all very understanding and allowed me to do my work from the hospital. My family kept me entertained at the hospital by taking me for walks in the wheelchair and staging puppet shows with rubber gloves.
On May 1, 2000, Dr. Khoury told me that I had developed a dangerous level of toxemia and I would need to deliver as soon as possible. As I write this, I remember the fear I felt that day. Everyone seem so scared and nervous. The ultrasound was showing that Emily was under 4lbs and that her lungs were not developed, however the pregnancy was a danger to my life at this point and they felt confident she would be safer outside the womb. We were told that Emily would be transported to Topeka after delivery to a neonatal unit. Justin and I quickly came up with the plan for him to go to Topeka with Emily with our family to follow. My dad would stay with me and try to get me released from the hospital as soon as possible to meet them in Topeka.
Labor was textbook. I quickly went through every stage of labor and in transition became the crazy person you see on TV. Justin and my sister Annie questioned me and offered support until I finally told them the Beach Boys song "Kokomo" was stuck in my head and driving me crazy. And what seemed like perfect harmony the two of them began to sing "To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
Down to Kokomo We'll get there fast And then we'll take it slow That's where we wanna go Way down to Kokomo"
The delivery room was full when Emily made her entrance into the world at 3:59 pm weighing 5lb 12oz with a healthy set of screaming lungs. No helicopter ride to Topeka! The family lined up to meet and hold the newest member to our family.
Today, 12 years later she is still surpassing expectations of herself. She recently spoke at a Women's Organization about herself. She spoke with grace and confidence about the importance of women and the roles we play to contribute to society. In the past year she has achieved great reward for her efforts in academic and athletic efforts. However, as her mother, I can speak to the truth of her greatest accomplishment is her ability to motivate others to achieve their absolute potential. At the age of 12, Emily Benton is changing the world and blazing the path for young women. "I may be small and you may not notice me, but I can make a difference, I can change the world"-Emily Benton Do not let her quiet nature fool you, she is up to big things.
A mighty flame followeth a tiny spark.
-Dante Aligheiri
