On Becoming A Dad!

March, 1971. "Hon," I said, "did you make the appointment with the ob/gyn doc?"
"Next month he said, April 1. He want's to wait at least a full month since my last period."

April, 1971. "Congratulations Mr & Mrs. Roper, Cyndy. You are definately pregnant and you should have a baby around Thanksgiving or maybe a little later." More conversations regarding exercise, diet, frequency of appointments, where did we want delivery to be, payment, insurance etc.

Late November, 1971. "Well, it could be as late as mid December said Dr. Schorlemer. It's not uncommon to be late for a first child."

Christmas, 1971. "I don't understand said the good doc, there is no sign of fetal distress, perhaps you mis-judged, or perhaps you got pregnant just before coming in. We'll wait a few more weeks, I'll see you next week at the same time. Don't worry, both the baby and you are healthy."

January 21, 1972. "I'm starting to get concerned. While the monitor and other tests don't show any sign of distress for your baby, and there are no other signs of serious complications, if you haven't gone into labor by Monday morning, check into the hospital and we'll induce labor."

"Honey" said my mom to Cyndy, "I'm going on a canvass of the neighborhood for March of Dimes, would you like to take a walk, it'll take your mind off of this and it will do you some good to get fresh air."

8:30 PM, January 21, 1972. "Yes Doc, contractions are 8 minutes apart, we are leaving for the hosptial in a few minutes."

1:45 AM, January 22, 1972, waiting room at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. "Mr. Roper, I've given your wife some twilight sleep, she will be fine. She's only at two centimeters and she needs to dialate to 10. Probably around noon today, relax, I'll let you know if anything changes.

5:20 AM, January 22, 1972. "Get some sleep Mr. Roper, I know you've been up all night, but really, your wife is doing fine, she is still at only 3 and a half centimeters. I'll have the nurses tell you if anything happens, I'm headed home right now, I'll be back in a couple of hours. Please, get some rest, when the baby is born she will need you alert and supportive."

5:39 AM, January 22, 1972. "Mr. Roper, Mr. Roper, wake up, you are the father of a healthy daughter. Dr. Schorlemer didn't even get out of the parking lot. Your wife is fine and so is your daughter."

I rushed over to the viewing window at the nursery. There she was, the most beautiful child ever born. She had her eyes wide open and was stareing me right in my eyes, as though looking at my soul and saying "So, your my dad huh? I hope you are ready for this."

Tears began to flow, copius tears, sobs of joy. I stuck around for another hour or two and spoke to Cyndy who was still pretty groggy. I took a last look at my kid and headed to my mom's house exhausted, and filled with a strange kind of warmth I had never known before.

All the way home the tears flowed. "You jerk," I said to myself, "why are you crying, you're supposed to be happy." "Oh, I am," I said to myself in response, "deliriously happy."

First Christmas, first birthday, grandparent's arguing about who Jennifer looked like, who she spent too much time with, or didn't spend enough time with.

First day of school with oh so many tears and the delight of hearing about her first day later that evening. Graduation from kindergarten teaching her to read and to have a love of reading. Good grades, sometimes not so good grades but usually good ones. Jr. High, High School. Directing the Sr. Play in school and having a part (The Little Shop of Horrors since you asked) and High School graduation. Jennifer's mom passed away from the complications of severe asthma. Jennifer was something else; she was my rock, as we both struggled to get through a tough time. College Graduation and first job teaching. Teacher of the year in only her 4th year of teaching. A call today, "Hey dad, happy Father's Day, Can I take you to a movie?

Card for Father's Day, a gift of love.

I know that today is a day to celebrate fathers. But, you know what? Without kids, none of us could be fathers. They say any male that is healthy can be a father, but only a real man can be a dad. You know, I have received lots of accolades over the years. National Honor Society, Outstanding Young Men of America, Who's Who Among America's Teachers, etc. But the very best accolade, the only one that really means anything is "Good night daddy, I love you."

I love you too Jennifer, thanks for letting me be your daddy.