This is great!
October 21, 2008 | family
I walked down the aisle and married Richard. Nine months later Sherri married Stan. In a family with four guys, we were the new girls in town. We were each other’s support. Each other’s friend. I was 20 when I married. Sherri was 19. (So young!) Two girls, married, in the country for the first time, breaking the molds as we became wives, daughters-in-law, sisters-in-law, friends.
A couple of years later when I found out I was pregnant with my first, Sherri was one of the first I told. Nine months later when she found out she was pregnant with her first, I celebrated with her. A little over nine months later I found I was pregnant with twins. Just a few more than nine months later she found out she was pregnant with her second child. We laugh about it now.
Sherri was there when I called looking for help when my water broke and my husband was gone. “The contractions are coming every 90 seconds,” I said.
In record time she whipped her car across the city to get to me. Richard drove up at the same time. She took Leslie and put her in the car seat next to baby Kyle. She had parked and carried both children up to the hospital birthing floor, just in time to see that Baby #1 was born and Baby #2 was on the way.
When I found out that my nephew Kyle and his wife Tierra were expecting, it was jolting. Suddenly we were the next generation. The ones with titles like “Grams” (Sherri) and great-aunt Snuz.
Is it really great to realize that you’re older and that a whole season of life has passed you by? Are we now the old people?
This past weekend I went to visit little Kinley. I had seen pics, but nothing prepared me for the little bundle on the blanket. I picked her up and held her close. I didn’t want to give her up, but Richard pried her out of my arms and whisked her away so that he could rock her.
Kyle asked, “Does she look like me?”
I was surprised by the tears. Not Kyle, but for me. Because this 6 ft. 5″ guy who is now a dad and husband reminded me of the day I stood beside Sherri’s bed and welcomed him into the world. My first nephew.
I took Kinley and sat in the plush rocking chair. She smiled a half smile — which reminded me of Stan, I mean her Grandpa. She nestled in the crook of my neck, pulling her little legs up tight in a ball. She smelled like baby lotion. Her hair was soft as down.
And suddenly I realized. . .this is more than great! In fact, amazing.
Welcome to the family Kinley. I love you already.
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