Julie's birth is not the subject of this entry; second child (birth) syndrome. (Another girl? Just one? Okay great! Let's go home.) Still, she is a major character in this tale.
Saturday, December 6, 2003. Our youngest daughter is expecting a baby, a boy, in a couple of weeks. There's a blizzard outside, but she suffers from cabin fever. The wacky expectant parents brave the wintery mix and head for 5 o'clock mass. Spaghetti dinner with Mom, Dad, and Sara, then back home to patiently wait for Miles to arrive.
Except Miles wasn't so patient.
The phone rang in the middle of the night. "It's time," Kirk said, "we're headed to the hospital."
Sara had stayed at our house that night. (It was still our house back then.)
"What's up?" Mom and Sara both needed to know. It was my extreme pleasure to announce that Julie was ready to have her baby.
We were ready too. Lessons learned from being a lousy expectant father, I was totally enthralled with my iminent role as "Pop." Mom was anxious to use her ultra cool nickname of "Gigi!" Julie is famous in our family for, among other things, her perfect smile. But it is Sara's radiant grin, upon hearing my announcement, that is engraved in my memory. "Aunt Sara" was primed. I'm so happy she was with us for this momentous occasion; wish Amy could have experienced it as well.
We met Julie and Kirk at the hospital. Kirk was cool. (Not.) Ever the fashion plate, he was looking oh so dapper in his hospital scrubs.
My youngest daughter, however, was fully prepared to be what she always wanted to be: Mommy. (Holy crap! My baby is having a baby!)
But, it turned out it wasn't precisely Miles' time; one more day of baking in the oven was required. No problem; Geeg & Pop didn't want to go to work on Monday anyway. (Neither did Sara.)
Monday, December 8, 2003. Hello Miles. I love you. We all love you. Hope you enjoy the center of the universe. Again, nothing wil ever be the same. Use your super powers carefully. God bless the family Pokrinchak.
As the song says, Bruce Springsteen was "born to run." I like to think that Kate Smith was "born to be wild." Me; I was born to "Pop."
And I'm lovin' it!
San Francisco never felt so far away.
ReplyDeleteWell, that night and every one of Miles's family birthday parties since.
(Feeling gloomy today, I admit. But it is the best kind of gloomy.)
Another beautiful story. December is filled with important births.
ReplyDeleteAmy, be strong, you'll be in the fold soon.
Love,
Big Sister
San Francisco is very far away. Does it have to be?
ReplyDeleteAmy I so totally understand as I am 90 minutes north of you and I feel far far away too. Its the weather.. its sunny.. a little cold; no snow.. lots of fog... and I feel lonely too...
ReplyDeleteLove Mema
Happy Birthday young man!
ReplyDeleteAnd a belated birthday wish to Amy and Sara.
I'm not gonna lie, totally forgot, until reading these past blogs.
On that day, for so many reasons, I became convinced that everything happens as it is meant to unfold. I have never been more appreciative of a snow storm.
ReplyDeleteAunt Sara
Everything changed that day. Everything! But one of the most unexpected changes was the relationship I have with Amy and Sara. I had been trying to gain my sisters' respect, admiration, love, approval, etc for 26 years. I tried everything! Little did I know that it all it took was a little 5-pound prince.
ReplyDeleteBirth is always a miracle; but, even more so, when it is your child who is the new mother or father. Thank you, Julie and Kirk, for these precious and beautiful grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteGeeg
Happy 16th birthday Miles..
ReplyDelete