Thirteen years ago today, Josie McKenna Breitsprecher came kicking and screaming into this world—and made me the happiest woman on earth. I had so dreamed of having a little girl I could dress up in lace and with whom I could have tea parties. Although my vision of a girly-girl for a daughter never happened, Josie still continues to make me the happiest woman on earth every single day.
The day I found out that I was expecting a second child I had no idea I was pregnant. I remember it was the first day of the NCAA tournament and much of the staff was gathered in the library to watch those opening games, looking for that Cinderella upset. It was starting to sleet outside and I needed to run to Fort Dodge to pick up my taxes at the accountant’s. Mr. Lyons, the superintendent, told me to leave early before the roads got bad.
Less than an hour later I was on my way home—but the roads were faster than me and were already pretty icy. It was directly in front of Shelton’s house that another driver lost control and hit me head on. The Lord was with me and put my friend Deb Krug in the car behind mine. She opened the door and said, “Oh my God, it’s Kendra” and then took control, calling 911.
The ambulance took me to the hospital in Fort Dodge and about ten hours later I awoke in a room, recovering from extensive surgery to my face, which had gone through the windshield. I was covered in blood and glass and wanted to take a shower. The nurse told me this wasn’t possible, as it was 3:00 in the morning. I then asked for a sedative and she said, “Okay, but it might not be a good idea. You know you’re pregnant.”
Huh? I had NO IDEA I was pregnant and being told this after several hours of surgery was stressful, to say the least. To say I freaked out was putting it mildly. I spent the next few hours talking to God and deciding that this pregnancy was indeed a blessing and that I was thrilled to be giving Cody a sibling.
Thrilled—but cautious. I spent the next 8 1/2 months worrying that something would be wrong with my little bundle. Even the anesthesiologist told me that there were many dangers in exposing a fetus to so many drugs as they did during surgery. My doctor told me that there was a good chance I would lose the baby in the first trimester.
Some of my fears were alleviated at the first ultrasound. Not only did the picture show two arms, two legs, etc. but also that this baby was a GIRL. Dean and I ran out and bought every copy of the new song “Butterfly Kisses” in the store. I immediately started shopping for soft dolls and frilly outfits.
When Josie finally decided to make her entrance, she came fast and furious—and was really not cute at all. Seriously—the girl looked like a blue monkey. The nurses took her away and she came back pink and beautiful—thank Goodness—and a serious love story deepened.
Now, thirteen years later, the love keeps getting stronger and stronger. As much as I fear the teenage years (with all the eye rolling and sighed “Oh Mom’s”), it can’t be as difficult as those first few months, when I wasn’t sure it Josie was going to be “okay,” let alone as exceptional as she turned out.
The moral of this story is that a person’s political beliefs do not necessarily have to be their personal beliefs. Although I strongly support a woman’s right to choose, I never considered having an abortion for an instant, even though quite a few people suggested it might be the best course. Ten minutes in a doctor’s office would have erased the miracle that is Josie from the world—and that certainly would have been a tragedy.
Josie is celebrating with a HUGE luau party this weekend. I will be celebrating more quietly by thanking the Lord for listening to me that night so many years ago in the hospital room, when I asked for comfort and he gave it. And thanking him for giving me Josie, as well. Even though she prefers football to tea parties, playing catch to painting her nails, she is and will always be my perfect little girl.
