He Died.
So You Wouldn't Have To.
It's Up To You.
Happy Easter
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Today You Are A (Wo)Man
Oct 19, 1992 my son Tyler was born. My wife, Debbie, had just given birth to her fourth son. No girls. While she loved her boys with all her heart, she ached for a little girl. A little girl to play dolls with, dress in those cute little girl clothes, and to be able to go shopping with and have "girl talk".
Fast forward three years. Debbie is seven months pregnant. For the first time, we don't know if the baby is a boy or a girl. We are both excited.
Dec 6 1995, A baby girl, Cheyanne, was born to us. Debbie had her daughter. On that day, all was right with the world.
Not long after the birth, Debbie noticed bruising on her legs. She was later diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. Debbie died four years later. She never got to enjoy the baby girl that she brought into the world.
Cheyanne has grown into a beautiful, intelligent, girl. She has been blessed to have a mother in her life. My wife, Yvette, has done a remarkable job of being her "mom" all the while not replacing Debbie. They have had heart to heart talks about Debbie and both shed tears over it. I do not know what they have said nor do I need to know. It's theirs.
Cheyanne has always been a "daddy's girl" maybe because of losing her mother so early or maybe because she's my only biological daughter, I don't know. All I know is that she is. That is what surprised me so much yesterday. I received a phone call at 3:15 PM on my cell. I was driving on the freeway when I answered and heard Cheyanne ask me for mom's work number. I replied "you know she can't have calls at work" There was silence on the phone, then I heard my daughter crying. This was not a "I'm not getting what I want" cry, there was something wrong. She said "But she said i could call her!" I asked "Honey, what's wrong?" "I need to talk to mom!" was my answer. I fumbled with my wallet as I said "OK, hold on a second, I need to look for it (Yvette is working a new job and I don't know the # by heart) hold on, OK?" I hurried to find the card as I drove 75 MPH. I read her the number and she told me thank you and that she loved me. I had no idea what was wrong and then, like a lightning bolt I just seemed to know. I had never heard her cry like that, and somehow I knew that my little girl, the one I had snuggle into bed all those nights, the one I had watch "Aristacats" over and over with, the tiny baby that I held in the palm of my hand 12 years ago, had changed. My baby was now a young woman. I thank God that Yvette was there for Cheyanne and comforted her and helped her to understand what these changes were all about.
That night, Cheyanne called both her grandma's and many of her girl-friends to tell them the news. She seems happy about it. (just wait, kiddo!) She asked me if Yvette had told me why Cheyanne had called her. I told her no. She then told me the big news. I smiled and told her I loved her. She went on into the house and I stayed on the driveway for a few minutes and looking up at the sky thought about Debbie. I felt bad that she wasn't here for this event in Cheyannes life. I'm sure I'll feel the same when I have to walk Cheyanne down the aisle some day. I can wait for that day to come, I'm not excited to see it. I know I'll miss Debbie that day, like I did today, but I am very thankful to have Yvette by my side helping me get through my teenage(r's) years!
Fast forward three years. Debbie is seven months pregnant. For the first time, we don't know if the baby is a boy or a girl. We are both excited.
Dec 6 1995, A baby girl, Cheyanne, was born to us. Debbie had her daughter. On that day, all was right with the world.
Not long after the birth, Debbie noticed bruising on her legs. She was later diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. Debbie died four years later. She never got to enjoy the baby girl that she brought into the world.
Cheyanne has grown into a beautiful, intelligent, girl. She has been blessed to have a mother in her life. My wife, Yvette, has done a remarkable job of being her "mom" all the while not replacing Debbie. They have had heart to heart talks about Debbie and both shed tears over it. I do not know what they have said nor do I need to know. It's theirs.
Cheyanne has always been a "daddy's girl" maybe because of losing her mother so early or maybe because she's my only biological daughter, I don't know. All I know is that she is. That is what surprised me so much yesterday. I received a phone call at 3:15 PM on my cell. I was driving on the freeway when I answered and heard Cheyanne ask me for mom's work number. I replied "you know she can't have calls at work" There was silence on the phone, then I heard my daughter crying. This was not a "I'm not getting what I want" cry, there was something wrong. She said "But she said i could call her!" I asked "Honey, what's wrong?" "I need to talk to mom!" was my answer. I fumbled with my wallet as I said "OK, hold on a second, I need to look for it (Yvette is working a new job and I don't know the # by heart) hold on, OK?" I hurried to find the card as I drove 75 MPH. I read her the number and she told me thank you and that she loved me. I had no idea what was wrong and then, like a lightning bolt I just seemed to know. I had never heard her cry like that, and somehow I knew that my little girl, the one I had snuggle into bed all those nights, the one I had watch "Aristacats" over and over with, the tiny baby that I held in the palm of my hand 12 years ago, had changed. My baby was now a young woman. I thank God that Yvette was there for Cheyanne and comforted her and helped her to understand what these changes were all about.
That night, Cheyanne called both her grandma's and many of her girl-friends to tell them the news. She seems happy about it. (just wait, kiddo!) She asked me if Yvette had told me why Cheyanne had called her. I told her no. She then told me the big news. I smiled and told her I loved her. She went on into the house and I stayed on the driveway for a few minutes and looking up at the sky thought about Debbie. I felt bad that she wasn't here for this event in Cheyannes life. I'm sure I'll feel the same when I have to walk Cheyanne down the aisle some day. I can wait for that day to come, I'm not excited to see it. I know I'll miss Debbie that day, like I did today, but I am very thankful to have Yvette by my side helping me get through my teenage(r's) years!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
HEAR-YE, HEAR-YE!!!
LOTS of exciting things happening around the ol homestead this week! I'll be getting to each of them in the next few days, but first things first!
Doctor appt last week, blood pressure is doing fine, NO MORE MEDS.... for that anyway! Now my LDL is high so time to tackle that one.
AND introducing a new blog by my beautiful wifey! Look to the left and click on the link to view it!
Finally, a huge thank you to each of you for your kind words and encouragement from my depression. I was completely shocked and humbled by all the posts and e-mails. Thank you so very much for caring.
Slone
Doctor appt last week, blood pressure is doing fine, NO MORE MEDS.... for that anyway! Now my LDL is high so time to tackle that one.
AND introducing a new blog by my beautiful wifey! Look to the left and click on the link to view it!
Finally, a huge thank you to each of you for your kind words and encouragement from my depression. I was completely shocked and humbled by all the posts and e-mails. Thank you so very much for caring.
Slone
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)