The Absent Uncle: Remember when ...

I was sitting on my front porch on a beautiful October evening and a young couple walked by holding the most precious of their life – their first born. 

Over the past few months I have seen them walking, usually daily, but a little less as the heat grew so much more difficult during August – but always trying to exercise – trying to be the mother ready to birth her child – the father to be there for mom and his newborn. 

And I remember when. 

In 1991 my wife and I found ourselves expectant. We had tried and tried. Time was running out. But there we were - on the cusp of creating a real, live child! 

Those of you out there who are parents – you understand. We were on top of the world. Celebrate! 

Then – the worries began.   

We took all the tests; made all the pre-natal visits, did the classes. And worried

Shopped for and bought the requisite equipment for the nursery – it seemed liked a quest that would never end. And then – assembly required. 

We questioned the number of days we had to go; how are we going to deal with it, what changes would be making that we hadn’t thought of, and on and on.   

Packed our “go kit”, (I drove the route to the hospital from our house a number of times as a part of being sure and suitable alternate routes just in case.) And then it happened. 

In mid-1992, life as we knew it changed. Thank you, all of worries were unfounded. Oh, certainly there were new worries and concerns that go along with raising a child – but so many, many more joys!

Hopefully the young couple walking by tonight can sit on their porch in 30-some years and have similar memories.