This 'Little Man' of Mine

That's what I like to call him. I used to talk to him when he was in his momma's tummy. I always knew he would be a boy. I don't know how, but I just knew. When I talked to him inside her tummy, I told him he wasn't going to be a baby, he was going to be a "Little Man", my "Little Man". The day came that his momma said he was ready to come out and join us. Oh, how proud I was of her. So strong she was, so tough. Such a hard job it is for a woman, bringing a brand new life into this world. Nine very difficult months of her body's many changes. Then the grand finale, much more pain than I could ever stand. I was there to help, but she had to do it all for herself. All I could do was hold her hand and try to comfort her, watching her bring our "Little Man" into the world. The answer to my prayers. So brave she was, not a tear did she shed, no cries of pain, such as those coming from adjacent rooms. Holding her hand so tightly, wishing there was some way I could have helped her. Sweat rolling down her brow as this brand new "Little Man" emerged from her body. Such an astonishing feeling came over me. At first sight I realized, he was a total stranger. A stranger to me and a stranger to the world. A brand new blank page in this book of life, waiting to be filled in one line at a time. The early years, the growing, the fond memories of those times will always warm my heart. The love I had for him, his mother, and his sister, no words could ever describe these feelings of love, feelings still so deeply rooted in my heart. My "Little Man", my best buddy. We did everything together. Always together. With time comes change. With changes comes pain. The pain of my losses. The loss of wife, child, and child. Our relationship never to be the same. The price of my foolish ways once upon a marriage. Written August 6th, 1996 © on Oct 10 2001 03:12 AM PST   0 • 10