Brown-Eyed Boy

This is a picture of the first baby I ever saw, 

live and up close, come into the world.

It's a day I'll never forget.  

I was 16 years old and his mom was living with us

because his dad (my brother) was in the Navy and overseas somewhere.

I got to see first-hand how her stomach grew, how much she anticipated

this little life that would forever change hers.

I can remember being in school towards the end of her pregnancy and thinking

Is this the day?

Will I meet my nephew or niece today?

The plan was for my mom to be her coach.  

I was just along for the ride because I asked to be 

and because my sister-in-law is such a nice person.

I think now about how alone she must have felt.  

How her baby's daddy was so far away 

and she was far away from her own family.

She felt like the sister I always wanted, 

living with me, sharing my life.

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After sitting around the hospital for awhile 

(a day off from school-bonus!!) 

the time  was finally here.

We suited up in scrubs and hair covers.  

My sister-in-law was so tired and I realize now, scared.

We gathered around her in the delivery room, trying to comfort and encourage her.  

At least that's what I was trying to do.  I think I was scared at this point too.

Her doctor was so kind, encouraging her and comforting her. 

He took a look at me, useless and nervous, and said, 

"Why don't you come and have a seat by me?"

For as long as I live I will never forget seeing the his little dark curl of hair.

"What's that?" I asked.

"The baby's head," the doctor replied.

I burst into tears and so did everyone else in the delivery room---

jaded, seen-it-all nurses, 

my mom, 

the doctor, 

and of course, my sister-in-law.

A few months later with that little baby in a stroller with me at the mall, 

I told everyone who stopped to admire him  
that he was mine.

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 This is a picture of that baby 

with his wife.

That is something to give one pause.

The girl and I spent a long weekend in San Antonio

so we could go to his wedding.

It was beautiful--beautiful bride, beautiful setting, her beautiful family...

and one very very nervous groom.

At first I didn't understand, exactly.

Everything went well.

Nothing went wrong.

The vows were said, the music played.

He was married to the girl he loved 

and he was still so nervous.

Have I mentioned that this "boy" is a Marine

and just graduated from 

demolition school?

I think what happened is that everything finally hit him:

 He no longer lives for himself.

He's got someone expecting things of him,

counting on him,

and supporting him too.

That's pretty daunting even without the pending tour of duty in Afghanistan.

He's only 24 years old but he's had a challenging life.

I wish I'd been there for him more and I tried to be

but I was busy building my own life.

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Here's what I know about him:

He is smart.

He is dedicated.

He is kind.

Here's what I wish for him:

That he has stability.

That he has support.

That he has joy.

That he is safe.

That he has a family.

 I can't wait to get to know him as the man he has become.