Fifty-five years ago today our first born son arrived on planet earth – more specifically in Orange, California. We got a deal on him since I was still in the Marine Corps – he cost just under $10.
I had taken leave based on the belief that he/she would arrive on December 7, not knowing that births tend to happen when they are ready and not when the doc says they will. My leave was just about over when Karen woke me in the middle of the night, “Wake up, Honey, my water just broke,” she said, calm as could be. Up, to the car, to the hospital, and then hours of waiting. Smoking cigs, pacing about the waiting room, holding Karen’s hand in the labor room, glad to be male.
I’m standing in the hall looking through a window when the kid arrives. I see the sister take the bundle and walk over to a sink. OMG, he’s covered with ghastly red birthmarks all over his head.
She sticks his head under the running water and he emerges without any birthmarks. Later he is sleeping in the hospital nursery and I am again in the hall looking through a window. Another new dad says, “Look at that big one there,” pointing to the brand new Steven Mark Lane.
“That’s MY son.” Happy Birthday, Son Steven.
Image top: First cake! Image bottom: First PhD.
Filed under: love
