On the early afternoon of July 5th, 2007, something amazing happened: the Earth stood perfectly still, the skies opened to whatever powers you respect, while this ball of energy was presented to world outside the womb. Ten tiny fingers, complete with tissue-papery nails, stretched to feel the open air which filled two tiny lung for the very first time. Ten blueberry toes were so warm and smooth, and they joined plumpy little feet in two curly clusters of five. Two stark blue eyes, squinting under the fluorescence of the Recovery room, opened ever so slightly to see what I can only imagine was a blurred smear of colors and lights that he would slowly gain familiarity with, and come to know as Life.Miles James came into this world quietly, as if he were studying the Op room around him. He was breathing okay, yet he made no sounds for five or six minutes, which was something I didn't expect. Then it came; I'll never forget the first raspy gasp that came from the far end of the room, as the delivery aids massaged air in and out of his brand new lungs, and for the first time, he had discovered his vocal capabilities. It wasn't long after that he decided he liked the reaction he got when he put those vocal chords to work.
And it didn't take too long after that, that he found that keeping this crying thing up was going to be a lot of hard work, and that sleeping with Mom was a lot more fun. I guess he didn't dig the hat much, either.
Let me not be the first or last to tell you that NOTHING will ever be the same after child-birth. And although that may sound frightening, it is the exact opposite; it is extremely relieving. What that saying means to me.. "Nothing will ever be the same", is a direct reflection of change. In this case, the changes are extraordinary. The addition of a person to a family gives new life to old, gives sunshine where there are shadows, and gives new meaning to the phrase 'working for a living'. When you realize and witness the rewarding miracle of Life, working for that becomes effortless. After a long day scrubbing the poop-deck, there is no treasure as fulfilling as having your own mini-pirate at the door with a loot of hugs and kisses waiting just for you.
"Milo" will be two years old next month, and he has brought me immense joy and has fulfilled every expectation I could have ever imagined that could come with raising a child. He is smart, confident, curious, and fascinating, just to name a few. He is the happiest thing in my life.
