Birthdays have always been a big deal in our home. When our kids were at home, we usually celebrated for an entire week or more. I always considered someone’s birthday as a unique day for them. Everybody celebrates Easter on the same Sunday. Same with just about all other holidays. One’s birthday is a day that belongs to one human being, unless, of course, you’re fortunate enough to be a twin or a triplet, or…….

I always wanted to be a father. It seemed to me that each generation had a brand new tablet with which to work, full of clean sheets of paper. Perceived mistakes of previous generations could be corrected; weaknesses could be strengthened; strengths could be further refined and improved.

When Tim, our first child, came into our lives, we felt particularly blessed. We lived in a trailer with an attached room in a tiny village in Illinois. Could we “afford” to have a baby? No way. He always had plenty to eat. Even though his clothes were often given to us, he always looked sharp. We had a full grown collie who thoroughly enjoyed the job of keeping extra eyes on him. Each Sunday morning, before conducting worship services at our country church, Tim made the 12 mile trip into DeKalb and sat in the radio station studio while we did a live radio program.

Kathleen was our second child. I grew up without a sister. Having a daughter fulfilled one of my lifetime dreams. I happened to be on a trip scouting a possible move for our ministry when she decided to come early. After driving more than 1,200 miles to the Texas panhandle, I flew back to Chicago for her birth. We didn’t know in advance that she would be a girl. When the doctor came out and announced HER birth, I went a little nuts. What a sweetheart!

I tried very hard to find a way to be present when both these babies were born. Illinois law at the time prohibited fathers from occupying space in the delivery room. That was a huge disappointment to me.

When Mark came along, we lived in Texas. I asked our doctor if I could be in on the delivery process. He said that he couldn’t keep me out, but didn’t recommend it. He also told me that his first commitment was to the mother and child. He said that if I fell over in a dead faint, he’d pay not attention to me whatsoever. I tunneled right past his suggestions, put on the greens, and went in to help however I could and witness the entrance of our third child into this world. He weighed in at a Texas Whopping eleven pounds, two and a half ounces! Second largest baby ever born in that hospital. I actually saw the birth of our baby! I heartily recommend the experience and wouldn’t trade it for anything!

As our children grew, we enjoyed all facets of our lives together. We traveled; we camped; we fished; we played ball; we worshipped; we hauled the kids to music lessons, football and cheerleading practices. All in all, parenting was all I ever hoped it would be. I was proud to be a father.

We did have some testing times. When we were expecting Kathi, her mother came down with diabetes and nearly died. That made them both all the more special. When Tim was nearly two, he almost died in a camping accident. A fellow camper came over and poured some gasoline on our “dead” campfire. It flashed back and burned Tim’s face quite badly. God worked a miracle in his body and he came through like a champ. (see: http://www.gentle.org/graceland/inside/in27.html)

Perhaps the biggest test we survived was the loss of our children’s first mom. She went Home at the age of 39, leaving me with three teens. God then brought Pat into our lives some 20 years ago and healing proceeded. Even with some difficult adjustments, we made it through. God was gracious. All the things we’d tried to build into our kids paid off.

(When Pat came into our lives, I inherited a granddaughter, Jessica. She was about a year and a half old. She is now nearing the ripe old age of 21 and in college.)

Well, the time ultimately came when they each left our nest. Tim married Debbie and together they produced three of the finest grandchildren ever hatched! That gave us four grandchildren.

Kathleen, who wanted to be a schoolteacher from the time she could walk and talk, is just that – an outstanding high school teacher. She elected not to have children, but considers her students to be her “kids”.

Mark married Beth. They were pursuing work and finishing their education. Then, about nine months ago, we got a call about another grandchild under construction. The due date was estimated at February 25th. Mark’s birthday is the tenth. I thought that might be neat to have a daughter born on one’s birthday. Well, as Beth breezed right past the tenth, I thought perhaps my wildest wish just might come true.

You may have guessed it. Not only did the United States Government shut down the post office and all the banks closed to honor my birthday on February 15th, granddaughter Milena Lea Meyer chose to grace our family. She weighed in at six pounds, ten ounces. She stretched out at 19 inches.

Pat and I are still floating on a high, ecstatic cloud. If you can imagine someone my size floating on anything except a sturdy swimming pool, you’ve got a pretty good imagination! I expect her other grandparents, Bill and Mildred Meador, are busting their buttons, too!

And the beat goes on…a baby’s heart beat. She could easily live in three different centuries (if the Lord doesn’t return). I can’t imagine the changes she’ll experience as she grows and matures. I do know that she will be reared in a Christian home. That’s the greatest heritage we could all pass along to this newest addition to our family. God’s best, Milena Lea! And thanks for giving me the best birthday present a grandfather could ever have!

If you’ve got a better looking brand new grandbaby, send me a picture! (g) I always enjoy E-mail, so drop me a line or two.

Next Inside Out          Gallery              Previous Inside Out