Sturgis, I want to tell you something you may not know. When we were in the middle of all this, and struggling with the financial side, your mother ponied up the money for another round of IVF for her niece--the daughter of her little brother. It didn't work out. But I remain moved and grateful for this remarkable act of family solidarity. And I take great comfort in knowing that my youngest got to spend some time with her (truly kindred spirits). As did I. And with your equally remarkable dad, with whom I spent my first Thanksgiving as a married man.
Jim, when my wife (of 48 years) and I were dating in the 1970s we talked about having children. She said she wanted two. I replied that I wanted three. She answered that she thought I should have what I want: two children with her and one with my second wife. In 1976 she gave birth to a baby girl. In 1983 my wife had her second pregnancy. The doctor was concerned because she looked "full term" at 5 months. In those days UltraSound was not widely available. The doctor assigned her to total bedrest. A few months later a second baby girl was born. 6 minutes after that birth a baby boy came flying down the birth canal. The labor was difficult so I waited until the twins first birthday to assert that our three children were proof that God took the side of the holy Roman Catholic, former altar boy father over the mother who came from a family of Christmas and Easter Episcopalians.
Sturgis, I want to tell you something you may not know. When we were in the middle of all this, and struggling with the financial side, your mother ponied up the money for another round of IVF for her niece--the daughter of her little brother. It didn't work out. But I remain moved and grateful for this remarkable act of family solidarity. And I take great comfort in knowing that my youngest got to spend some time with her (truly kindred spirits). As did I. And with your equally remarkable dad, with whom I spent my first Thanksgiving as a married man.
Jim, when my wife (of 48 years) and I were dating in the 1970s we talked about having children. She said she wanted two. I replied that I wanted three. She answered that she thought I should have what I want: two children with her and one with my second wife. In 1976 she gave birth to a baby girl. In 1983 my wife had her second pregnancy. The doctor was concerned because she looked "full term" at 5 months. In those days UltraSound was not widely available. The doctor assigned her to total bedrest. A few months later a second baby girl was born. 6 minutes after that birth a baby boy came flying down the birth canal. The labor was difficult so I waited until the twins first birthday to assert that our three children were proof that God took the side of the holy Roman Catholic, former altar boy father over the mother who came from a family of Christmas and Easter Episcopalians.
Quite a story, Doug. In the end, we all play the hand we're dealt!