How I Came to Life

August recalls the story his mother tells of his birth, which the family finds funny despite its tension. Early pregnancy seemed routine after an easy first child, Via. Only two months before delivery did doctors note a cleft palate and minor anomalies, assuring August’s parents it wasn’t severe.

On delivery night, two nurses attended: one sweet and efficient, the other gruff and repeatedly farting. With Mom’s regular doctor absent, a young stand-in took over while Dad tried to keep Mom laughing through the grumpy atmosphere.

When August was born, the room fell silent. The sweet nurse rushed the baby out, Dad chased her and dropped the video camera, and the farting nurse held Mom in bed as Mom panicked. The young doctor fainted; the farting nurse prodded him awake, punctuating the chaos with an enormous fart.

After doctors warned August might not live through the night, the farting nurse stayed with Mom, whispering, “Everyone born of God overcometh the world,” offering comfort. August survived the night, and the next day the same nurse held Mom’s hand as she met her son for the first time.

Though prepared for the worst, Mom says that when she finally saw August’s “tiny mushed-up face,” what stood out were his beautiful eyes. August adds that his family—Mom, Dad, and Via—are all good-looking, underscoring the contrast and the family’s acceptance.