Let me tell you a story; well, I don’t know why it would be called a story since it’s the truth. So let me tell you a truth.
When our daughter was born, not only being the first-born to Barbara and I, but also the first-born grandchild to my parents, things were different. Times were different.
First, there was no way of knowing the gender of the child before birth. An ultrasound at that time could show a shadowy picture, confirming a baby present; but, that’s about all. No gender could be determined.
But in my mind, the soon to be newborn was a girl. We had only one name picked out, Candace Rene’, the only discussion concerning her name was how to spell Candace. I liked the spelling C-a-n-d-i-c-e, while Barbara preferred C-a-n-d-a-c-e. It only took a brief discussion with her presenting that her way was the way it was spelled in the Bible. Case closed! C-a-n-d-a-c-e, it was! After all, I had nowhere to go after her statement about the Bible. So, in our mind, a little girl, named Candace Rene’, was soon to join our family.
As time drew near, we had her room ready. Baby furniture bought, assembled, and ready for her. Baby showers, planned by dear friends and family, had been planned and celebrated, showering us with gifts and supplies needed to begin her life.
And the feeling of her kicking by laying my hand in the right places, overjoyed me.
Projected delivery date came and went. Then, in about a week or so, on a blessed Wednesday afternoon, Barbara went for an exam and the doctor said go to the hospital. He would induce.
Excitement overflowing, phone calls made, we entered the hospital. Barbara was taken immediately to the delivery area, while I had to stop by admission to properly register her. (There was no pre-registration at that time).
By then my Mom and Dad had arrived at The Medical Center. The hospital was in Columbus, GA, just across the river from Phenix City, AL.
As the nurses and doctor were prepping Barbara for the delivery, I arrived in the father’s waiting area. You see, that’s where fathers belonged! Outside — in a waiting area, away from the action. Otherwise, they would only be in the way.
It was at this time, my Dad took me aside and had a conversation with me. It was real now! I was about to become a Father! We discussed this and the feelings that had never been expressed before between the two of us, calming me down — well, a little anyway. My Dad being the Rock for me, realizing my feelings and giving me the support I needed at the time.
Time passed slowly, the hands on the big wall clock seemed to be moving in slow motion. At times, I thought I could hear Barbara calling my name from somewhere behind the closed double doors. (Later, she confirmed that she was calling me to come and make the nurses do what she wanted them to do, knowing, “Tim would do whatever she wanted.”)
And then, without warning, a nurse appeared holding a precious, tiny, baby, swaddled In a pink blanket. She asked, “Mr. Parker?” And somehow, I managed to say, “Yes.” Then she said as she handed her to me, “It’s a girl.”
I swelled with emotion, staring at this beautiful baby; my little girl, our little girl! Looking lovingly at her, I said, “Hey Candy.”
Quickly gathering around me, Mom and Dad and other family members, stared in awe at this beautiful, sweet Gift from God I had just been handed.
After cuddling her for a short while, my Dad, almost with tears in his eyes, reached for her and said, “Come to your Pappy, Doll Doll.”
Taking her into his arms, he had just proclaimed two things never before mentioned. He had just changed his name to Pappy! A name he would be known by for the rest of his life, even by friends who had known him for years before. And her name, anytime he spoke to her or about her would forever be “Doll Doll”.
He had become a Grandfather!
And that’s the story, the truth I wanted you to know.
Just Pondering…