Every potential mother to be is like the new bride who underestimates her new role. Until one has experienced it, you have only imagined it!
Little did I know, although a first son had been born two and a half years earlier when I was handed another son, a bouncing eight pounds fourteen and a half ounce bundle with bulging cheeks that they could be so different. In Lebanon, Tennessee he made his appearance on a frigid Ground Hog's Day in 1965. This little city recorded the coldest place in the state with five degrees below zero. Icy streets almost prevented our arrival at the little private hospital in the historical section.
The first son was a great sleeper, sleeping through the night in just a week. What a blessing!This one whom we lovingly called our Ground Hog wouldn't sleep through for nearly a year.
The first child born in sunny June received dozens of visitors; this child only craved the arms of his family holding him since few could travel.
As I held this bundle of joy, I had no idea all what was wrapped up in this bubbly little guy. Life would be full of unexpected spontaneous things.
As he grew, his mind was always reeling. Mine too, to keep one step ahead. I will never forget his precious piano teacher who taught him more theory than he appreciated. He presented his recital piece as directed and as the families clapped, he (almost) played one that he taught himself, "Once,Twice, Three Times a Lady", one he knew the audience would like.
Sometimes it was the bundle of fresh flowers brought back on his bicycle so Mom would have a Happy Mother's Day.
It wouldn't be the last time I'd hold my breath. His daredevil feats on the dirt bike almost brought gray hair.That was a lot calmer than the cave "speer-lunking"that he and a buddy would later experience.
I recall that he loved to work. He and his older brother set up a business selling their Tandy leather craft work.Whether it was his collection of speakers in his trunk for sale, or the few college sized refrigerators he bought at the end of the year, he rented those and sold them when he finished school.One more way to make change and gas money.
Organizing a few jazz band members he convinced the well-known Green Gables Restaurant in our city that they could play each weekend for the diners. That could have built his confidence to join the Vanderbilt Marching Band later and be paid for it. Or to travel for Trevecca in public relations until he organized the best musicians as Spirit Bound which would stay on the road for almost 16 years.
Maybe it was the trips to Haiti or Dominican Republic as a family that challenged him to later take his family to Peru or work with World Vision that has built long relationship Little could steal his creative mind that runs non-stop.
He loves to give surprises. He knew that Mom would be so proud if he had "honor cords"at commencement and wore them that day.Oh, no.
His inquisitive questions keep coming, " Hey, what do you think of?"
And the list goes on and the ideas never stop. While he was traveling in New York, he heard that Mom would be honored at Frankfort at the state capitol. Only one guest could come, but a phone call came to my hotel room announcing , "Mom, I'm here!" Nothing would keep this Ground Hog away - even if he wasn't invited and didn't have a way back home.
The neon wheels, the flowers, the joy given so spontaneously has not stopped. Looking back over these years, there has been a lot of sacrifice in the spontaneous joy midst the pain.And I still believe that the Lord has a sense of humor especially in the home. God still draws near to us in the ordinary commonplace everyday experiences and places. He comes in surprising ways.(Henry Gariepy)
Thank you, Joel, for being a blessing to so many, especially me. And Happy Birthday to my favorite Ground Hog.
Hugs and laughter,
Mom
