It was November 2021. It was a warm day and perfect weather for walking around five acres striving to induce labor.
We were successful.
Charity told me, “Either my water broke, or I have to get to the white porcelain bowlful of water in the nearest home posthaste.”
As it turns out, we needed to visit the hospital. A few hours later, after Daylight Savings Time ended, a stork wearing a light blue jacket with his name on a patch over the left breast pocket carried a baby boy to our room, peeked in, and said, “Delivery for the Driscolls?”
“That’s us.”
“Sign here, please.” We did. Then he was off.
We cooed and oohed and aahed over this cute baby. Son #1 was made to be an older brother. He loved Son #2 even before he arrived.
Son #2 was so surprised this morning when he woke up. Charity had to wake him up, though. He slept in on his birthday — the audacity. He’ll learn.
Son #1 has been requesting to help wake up Son #2 for his birthday so he can be a part of the surprise.
Charity woke Son #1 up first and, in doing so, woke up Son #2.
Son #1 hollered, “Happy Birthday!” He yelled more times than she was able to count.
Son #2 does not appreciate shrieking bellows waking him up out of a dead sleep in the morning. There were rivers of tears, much dread, and copious amounts of confusion involved. It was a perfect start to the morning. And she got it on video. That’s a successful morning.
Son #2 quickly recovered, however, and was soon grinning from ear to ear and enjoying his brand-new cowboy boots. Then, his momma made him a stack of pancakes with a candle on top.
Later, he got to go swimming and received a pair of overalls like his dad’s. This evening, we had a small party, and he got a Mr. Potato Head and a notebook in which to draw pictures. Yes, we intervene in knock-down drag-outs over a notebook, whose it is, and how much is too much to share. So now he can draw without asking his older brother for anything.
And hopefully, he stops drawing on the walls.
Son #2 requested a birthday meal of spaghetti and garlic bread. He also requested a homemade strawberry cake.
Even though the day had a rough start, it ended perfectly.
We are grateful for our children. They’re not perfect, and I’m turning gray fast, but we have been blessed.
Son #2, we love you. Happy Birthday. Thank you for being our son.
to our secondborn,
– Caleb
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