On Mother's Day in 1979, I became a mother with the birth of Holly Catheryn. Seven months later, she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, and I felt like my world had fallen apart. Then we were warned by doctors not to have more children. However, after meeting a remarkable young man -- Don Pfendner -- we made what some considered an unwise choice -- to have another child. Don had CF and told us how much he loved life, in spite of CF. Don died in the summer of 1982, the day before I called to tell him that I was pregnant again. On January 23, 1983, Vanessa Elizabeth Dawn (in honor of Don) was born into our lives and has brought us joy ever since.
Now, nearly 30 years since Holly's birth and with lots of ups and downs, fears and cheers in between, we're about to celebrate another birthday and Mother's Day. Occasionally now, she orders me (with just a hint of a grin) to treat her right, because, after all, she and her sister will be choosing my nursing home. I respond that I plan to live to be 100, then I tell her that I expect her to hold up her end of the bargain.
