When Wesley, was born Lorri and I were delighted. We had waiting and prayed for 7 years for this child. We had almost given up. When we found out we were pregnant with number two I got nervous. As foolish as it sounds, I loved my son so much I didn’t know if there would be enough love left for another child. I was afraid I would love one more than the other.
I just returned from the Howard family reunion where some 100 family members gathered on a rainy Saturday afternoon in South Alabama. This family has gathered every year since 1940 to remember and to celebrate their shared heritage.
My grandmother, on my father’s side, was a Howard. Mary Lois Howard Smith was born August 14, 1915 and was one of 9 surviving children. I didn’t know her, she died of breast cancer when I was 6 months old, but I am a product of the choices she made.
On Sunday, April 22nd, 2000 we celebrated the baptism of our first child, Wesley Daniel Smith. It was an emotional time for us not only because Wesley was our first child but also because he was a gift from God. After the service we invited friends and family to celebrate with us. At that Sunday afternoon lunch, I shared these thoughts.
We have a 9 year old son and a 8 year old daughter. We’ve always been selective about what they watch and had hoped to put off the “birds and bees” conversation until they were a little older. But after that day, we knew the time was rapidly approaching with the speed of a runaway freight train.
She would sneak up behind her “big brother” and give him a push. He would cry and she would run away.
My kids were ready to get back “in the saddle” and have been excited about their new classes, new teachers and new friends–which is always a good thing for us parents.
Airports are great places to observe people. I’m always intrigued by the sheer diversity of humanity.