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Stephan Kullberg Special to the Ebbtide It's Wednesday, May 1st at 7 a.m. and the phone rings. It's Chris and his words tome are, "Stephan, we're at the hospital, Kathy's in labor, it should be anytime now." Chris has been my friend since junior high and has been anxiously awaiting the birth of his first child. Now, it looks like that time has finally come. Chris advises me that he will call me when it looks like the big moment is near so I can come to the hospital. I go off to work and try to get on with my daily routine as best as possible. Since work is only six miles from the hospital I figure I can make it there in no time. Or, if the baby decides to wait until after 4 p.m. then I will be off work and I can head straight to the hospital. But wait, it's Wednesday and I have class tonight at Shoreline. Since my class is conducted 95 percent online and meets only five times during the quarter I must weigh whether or not to go. Since Kathy first became pregnant I have wanted to be at the hospital when the birth happened to provide support to him and to witness the joy of his child entering the world. Chris and I decide that I should head to school and hope the baby decides to wait until after I am back from school. Class ends at 7:45 p.m. and I am sure the baby has come out by now. I head straight home and call the hospital. Chris says, "Get down here quick, it's going to be any time now." I rush to the hospital and am greeted by some longtime friends who have shown up for the occasion. I walk into the maternity ward and Chris is waiting for me in the hallway. It is 9 p.m. and he says that Kathy is getting ready to start pushing. I go down to the waiting area and chat with my friends. Nine-thirty rolls around and baby screams can be heard. A few minutes later, Chris' mom, June, comes out of the room, with a big grin on her face and announces, "It's a girl!" We all congratulate her on becoming a grandmother and give her a big hug. Chris emerges about 30 minutes later he is holding his little bundle of joy. Madison Isabell Jordan weighs 8 pounds, 9 ounces. Chris is crying, the first time I have ever seen him do so. It is obvious that his emotions are stirring. Thirty minutes earlier he was waiting to be a dad, and now he is one. We congratulate him and stare in awe at his newly arrived daughter. Everything about her is so tiny. Her hands and fingers are tiny and she is staring up at us with her pretty blue eyes. A little while later we are allowed to enter the hospital room and see Kathy. She is tired but obviously excited to have a little daughter. The room is full of friends and family and I can see that it means a lot to Chris and Kathy. Witnessing the arrival of a child to this world is something I am glad I didn't miss. Some things in life are more important. Things worked out for the best, so I can't complain. Since Chris is an only child I am looking forward to my status as Uncle Stephan. © 2002 Shoreline Community College™ |