I've Never Really Liked Hospitals Since
By: Randy McKenzie
Christmas 1961 in Montana was very white… so white my father could barely see to drive our old Ford down Highway 200. When my mother's labor pains increased to the point where she couldn't wait to the get the hospital, my dad pulled off the road at an old train depot at Perma, Montana which is a little tiny village in the middle of nowhere!
Our little family piled out of the car to find ourselves in a small community with consisted of just a few buildings alongside the road. The snow storm had stopped the local train service, and some friendly neighbors had laid my mom down in a little cabin that sold knick-knacks. The door opened and a train engineer entered. The train had to stop for some reason and the engineer put his arm around my dad, who was very anxious, and said, "Don't worry, we can handle this!" It turned out he was trained and had experience in delivering babies!
My mother's birth pains increased all the more and soon my head was crowning. Seeking to be helpful, one person ran into the nearby bar and brought back a bottle of Scotch while another person tacked up a horseshoe over the door for good luck. My mom was given so much Scotch that after I was born she had the sensation of her body rising above the bed and calling out to her husband, "Hold me down or I'll float away!"
I was born – a wee bit drunk – in that little cabin and shortly afterward my dad drove us on to the hospital in Missoula.
Randy as a wee one…
I started life in a rush and it's been rush-rush every since… and I still don't like hospitals! You can catch up with me today at RandyandSusan.org!
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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Mr Rambo – Here’s wishing you the most incredible life-journey from this day on…. a year of blessing and deep love – a year of completion of promises – a year of faith and belief – a year of hope and destiny…. you have much ahead of you but I truly wish the heart of God for you…. may you be an expression of His heart and hands – His love and tenderness and His hope in glory…. Life to you friend! Blessings Rennetta
Hey there, Rennetta! What an extraordinary blessing from an extraordinary woman! We love you – thank you, my friend! And considering Randy’s been watching Rambo movies all week with Rob, what an amazing greeting 🙂
OK, so if you were a superhero, I guess you’d be called Lightning Man. And since you’re this walking lightning rod, I guess it’s easier for the Father to track you down. I know you’ve said you like to be conduit, so there you go! I hear through the grapevine it’s OK to have numerical dyslexia, especially after age 45, so have at it! For real, I pray heapings of blissings on your life! Much love, Sus
LOL, Sus…. thanks for the blessing! “Numerical dyslexia, huh? That would make him 94! We love you too… God bless you!
Happy Birthday Randy! Your entrance into this world is as unique and special as you are. You have truly touched and blessed our lives. You will always have a special place in our heart.
The inner depths of your heart are always seeking Him. His mercy and grace abounds over you. Please trust that His path is laid before you. Continue to walk forward. Do not look back. It is His will for you to know Him even more deeply. The fruit is to come. Love you, miss you, Lynnette and Den Cousino
Hi Lynnette! It’s very special to see you here – thanks for Randy’s blessing – I will be copying and pasting all of them into a birthday card! Your words are ‘right on’ – and fit perfectly for today! Thanks bunches and big hugs and kisses to you and your beautiful family!
Randy,
You are a true blessing and my wish for you this next year is that you will filled with the Holy Spirit all through the year and that His spirit will flow through you into the hearts of all the people you incounter throughout the year. Blessings and Happy Birthday!
Shelley Hunt
Thanks so much, Shelley – you are an amazing blessing!
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas! May you continue to be on God’s time table and surrendered to His plans no matter how awkward it may be in the natural. Many blessings to you and your family! Eddie & Carol Skaggs, Freetown, IN
Thanks so much, Carol – let’s stay in touch! I just rec’d your email and I can say we are walking on parallel paths – the best is yet to come!
happy b day randy! hope all is well. you probably dont remember me. we met in toronto. you gave your testimony on stage and i soaked you with prayer afterwards. God bless you and your family.
bob leiter
Hi Bob… what a blessing to ‘see’ you again! Thanks so much for all you’ve done for Randy – we miss our ‘home’ in Toronto very much! I will pass your birthday greetings on to Randy – I’m collecting them all to copy and paste into a very large card! Thanks so much!
What a truly amazing story, Your dear Mother and Father must have been overwhelmed at the little boy who entered their life in such a whirlwind way. Your still that whirlwind blowing in and changing the atmosphere around others with His great love. We miss you Randy, and value all the things you left us here in Tecumseh. May your birthday be full of the joy and love that you carry to so many. You were never made to be all fancied up, but a wind that brings adventure and strength. Happy Birthday from all of us here at Lifehouse to you!!!!!!!!! May Gods Mercy and Grace always surround you in his loving arms. Love and Blessings Brian and Denise
You are amazing, Denise… I love your childlike simplicity, fun, and your love of truth and wisdom! Thanks so much – God bless you!
Happy Birthday, Randy! I remember your mom telling me about that wild night and having that wild little baby that just wouldn’t stay put for just a while longer! Blessings my friend!!!
LOL, Donna! He hasn’t sat still or done anything ‘normal’ since!
Feliz Cumpleanos and Feliz Navidad all wrapped in one to one heck of a guy…miss you
Hola – muchas gracias! Feliz Navidad 🙂
The key question is, do you still like Scotch, or have moved over to wine and a song 🙂 Happy Birthday new friend
Hi Robert – thanks for stopping by. As for Scotch, wine, and songs… that’s opens up a whole new story! Blessings to you!
Susan, you never cease to amaze me with your storytelling! Another great burst of energy is on its way to Randy as he inches towards his last birthday before the Big Five-Oh. (Be sure to let him know that Five-Oh is great, and Six-Oh even better!) 😉
He’ll be glad to receive that energy, Sharon – thanks so much for being an amazing forerunner to those of us entering our 50’s and 60’s – no reason these shouldn’t be our best years! Thanks 🙂
What a brilliant birth story! Thanks so much for sharing that, Randy (and happy birthday!).
Thanks so much, Victoria – I’m very much looking forward to hearing your stories!
What a ‘chilling’ baby story! Happy happy birthday to you Randy! May the rest of your birthdays be warm and full of HOT CHOCOLATE!!!
Thanks, Katie – you’re a blessing!
Hi Randy, Happy Birthday. Nice to hear your story and that you’re still chugging along.
Thanks, David 🙂
Wow, Randy…. I had no idea… What a story! Sounds like a real stressful start! Hope it didn’t influence your life too much. Do you like snow and trains?
Thanks so much, Jeanne…. many blessings to you and David for a Merry Christmas! With the metal in his back, Randy usually doesn’t like the cold very much…. or the hospitals that put it in 🙂