"And Then There Were Three"

When I was growing up I always thought it would have been neat to have had a sister. It was just my brother and myself and I knew my parents planned no more children. Then when my brother grew up and married he had two sons and then a daughter. 

I observed that and thought maybe I would have a daughter after I had my two sons. But after my two boys were born my wife and I decided not to have any more children. My "daughter" was missing in action. This was really disappointing to me as I had always wanted a daughter to name after my deceased mother.

Eventually my youngest son got married and I finally had a "daughter." Well at least I had a daughter in law! Then they had a baby and it was a girl! To add the cherry on top they named her Genna after my mother Virginia. She was the girl I had been waiting for all my life and she was the first grandchild, so how special can you get?

Two years later they had another child and this one was a boy. His name is Walker Cooper and he is special in his own way. He is the most laid back child I have ever seen. Nothing ruffles him, he just goes his own way at his own pace. He is always good-natured and always loving. He is great!

Walker is also one of those children who wears clothes perfectly. They just fit exactly right on his body. I have always been one of those people who fights his clothes. They are too small or too large, but never just right. You could put Walker in a sack suit and on him it would look good.

So here I was with two grandchildren and lo and behold I found out we were going to have number three. JJ, my oldest son, took his sweet time in getting married. But he finally met the right girl and tied the knot. Angela, his wife is full bloodied Chinese so when they told us they were expecting, my wife and I began to look closely at all Asian babies we saw.

Their baby was supposed to be born on December 20 but after a couple of false alarms she arrived on November 27. She is just beautiful with a full head of black hair and the sweetest face you have ever seen. She definitely looks like her mother and that is just fine with me. She is my China doll.

We are going to see her this weekend. JJ and family live in Durham, North Carolina so it is a long ride. Still when you are going to see a new grandbaby the time and the miles will fly by. I hope she is just as excited about the thought of seeing us.

It is amazing how things can change in an instant. Before November 27 we talked about this baby in the abstract, now we constantly talk about how much she sleeps, how much she eats, does she cry, etc. Natalie Michelle Cooper is always in our thoughts.

Natalie has settled into the middle of my heart, right in between Genna and Walker. It is a perfect fit and there is plenty of room; even for more grandchildren should that be God's will. A few weeks ago there were two and now there are three. I am brim full with happiness.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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