Wednesday, July 28, 2004

Breathless

Last week we had a great family reunion for my wife's side of the family. Even her Brother from New Zealand came, along with his wife. In the midst of all of the eating, visiting, and picture taking, we had a family baby shower for our son and his wife from Lincoln. They were expecting in the middle of September. I had to leave in the middle of all of this for a truck driving job to Wichita. I was feeling sorry for myself, I had to leave too late in the day, we had company at home, and I even had to stop on the way down to snooze. I couldn't stay awake and that little nap made it so I didn't leave Wichita until 4:00 AM. I stopped at the first rest area at 4:30 and went to bed.
At 6:00 AM, my phone rang and It was my son saying, "Dad, where are ya?" " North Wichita. Why?" " We had a baby last night." Right there, July 20 went thru my mind. My Dad's birthday. I thought about how we have our time here to try and make a difference and then make room for the next.
"Well that changes everything." "How soon can you get here Dad?" " I'm leaving right now."
The sleepiness was gone, the reunion was on the back burner along with truck driving and I was on my way to see two of the happiest people in world.
Everything was as it should be. Smiles, Grandmas, and Dad proudly handing the baby from visitor to visitor saying "meet Madilyn Rose". The reunion had moved to a hospital in Lincoln, NE.
I recieved an email the next day. At the bottom it said, Life isn't measured by the number of breaths you take, it's by the moments that take your breath away.
Grandma and Grandpa are breathless.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

this post is absolutely priceless. see you in a week. Marty

Anonymous said...

How very true!! Can't wait to meet the newest twig on our family tree.....Okie Sis

Anonymous said...

this is so beautiful--thank you for sharing your blog with us---RM

Anonymous said...

Cliff,
It was still nice seeing everyone and getting to see the newest one she was perfect right down to the pink finger nails. Could you please tell your Mother in-Law Thank You for letting us stay at her house for the night. I have some news from our family I would like to share with you Dustin joined the Army last week and leaves for Ft. Benning GA. the 7th of September things have moved to fast as far as I am concerned and his timing could of been better but it is what he wants and I think it will be good for him.

Well must go it is 11:00pm here and of course I am still up doing laudry and things and everyone else is in bed.

Bye
Kris