My goal has been to have an entry for each month, and technically I have missed August 2012, since it's 12:20 a.m. I had the idea of entering thoughts about the significance that August 31-September 1 always had for George and me, and so I shall. On August 31, 1968, we were at home at Roselawn Terrace in Starkville, the Labor Day weekend, awaiting the September 4 date that had been predicted for the birth of our baby. Mother was visiting from Tupelo. It was a Saturday night, and we went to bed fairly late. Then it was very early Sunday morning September 1, like 1:30, and Cameron Lee Kelly decided it was time to start to make her appearance. We headed for Felix Long Memorial Hospital, the site for the special occasion. Dr. Leonard Brandon was in charge of the delivery, and by the time Cam arrived at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, September 1, I heard through a slight fog from Dr. Brandon that "All three grandmothers were there" when he presented this 8 pound, 2 ounce black-haired baby girl. George had called Miss Vera and Doris, and they decided they could not go back to sleep so they hit the road to Starkville. Aunt 'Cille (Lucille Kelly Stennis Montgomery) brought tiny pink ribbon for the baby's hair (against the rules, said the nursery nurse, as she taped a bow in Cam's hair). There was enough for all the baby girls in the nursery born that Labor Day weekend. What a way to observe/celebrate Labor Day. I'm looking at a photograph collage on the wall that includes one of George Morris holding his baby daughter, one of my favorite photos. I'm also looking at a baby gown made by Cousin Mary Alice Morris for George in 1940. Thanks to Miss Vera for saving it. Cam wore it home from the hospital, and we have a special photo of Doris holding Baby Cam ready to take her into our Roselawn Terrace Apartment #8. Then Carly Grace Chennault wore the gown home from St. Dominic Hospital. I'm looking at the special baby ensemble, now framed and on the wall near the photo. It can always be de-framed and worn again, but it was getting a little fragile. Oh, Cam's birth was carried on the front page of the "Starkville Daily News," where I was on the staff and on maternity leave. The editor Sherrill Nash wrote the little story and chuckled as he suggested that I recover from the birthing asap and get back to the news desk. George was studying at Mississippi State University, handling his course work so well and diving into the responsibilities of fatherhood even better. A dedicated, loving daddy . . .he was always so great with our daughter.
Guess I've shared your age, Cam, but you don't mind. . . do you?
