“Do you want to hold him?” The nurse handed your newly born body to me and placed you in my trembling arms. I remember looking down at you for the very first time and whispering, “I’m your dad, I’m here to take care of you.” I thought about that experience many times this week as you turned eighteen. In an instant I went from having a child with special needs to being the parent … [Read more...]
How Can 31 Years Ago Seem Just Like Yesterday?
Thirty-one years ago today, our first child was born at 12:35 AM on a Sunday morning. Like all mothers, I remember the details of that day at Lookout Memorial Hospital in Spearfish, South Dakota with perfect clarity. But my memories are different than those of many other new parents. The joy of the memory of our son's arrival is tinged with sadness and gratitude. I remember breakfast being … [Read more...]