October birthdays

What a beautiful day for a birthday! I have always loved October days - even the rainy ones. There is a promise of cooler mornings and crisp nights. Over the years we have had October in some very different places. Today, I am remembering a hot October 8th, a few years back, in the Arizona sun. We had purchased a house with an olive tree in the front yard and a high adobe wall around the back and moved in a few months earlier with our cats. The third bedroom was decorated in yellow checks and red gingham, my old crib painted red, a rocking chair in place, and tiny baby clothes folded in the dresser. We had passed our Lamaze class with flying colors and expectant grandma was on notice. The doctor said - don't go far! At my appointment on Monday he decided enough was enough and asked us to come to St. Joseph's hospital in downtown Phoenix, Maricopa County. At five, the next morning, my water broke - but since we were going in anyway, we didn't think to notify the doctor. The rush hour drive into town was a bit hectic. All I remember is a pillow on my lap. We arrived at our 8 am appointment. Just in time - as the baby was born at 8:20 with an intern in attendance!
We were so proud - and he was so beautiful. Pictures show how very special we felt. We knew, somehow, how much this baby would change our lives. That sounds so cliche, but it is so true! We were so ready to be parents - I look back now and think that was just because we had no idea what it entailed! Today the baby is a father - understanding more what we thought when we brought him home in that air-conditioned car to our little house in the Arizona desert. He has traveled far since then - experiencing adventures we could never have imagined. He is a kind, thoughtful, creative, and independent person - constantly surprising and teaching us with his opinions and concerns. He really did change our lives, and continues to do so. He celebrates today with his own children, in the cool morning of a Georgia fall.
When they are born, and even when they are growing, you create a vision of how your children will turn out - what they will do and think as adults. And it is such a suprise when they aren't anything like you expected. Somehow I missed the clues along the way! I thought by my sheer will power I could turn them into my vision. Looking back I am sure my parents were also thoroughly surprised at the adults we became. The surprise is what makes life interesting. This son, born on the day between his two grandfathers, began his life as a diplomat and continues to smooth and calm our lives. Happy birthday.