Dear Jake,
I am pretty sure that you can read from where you are. You know and I know as well as many others that you are around. You have given me strange and funny signs in the last 10 months. Odd, but irrefutable proof that you are ok. As was the custom of your mother and I, on your birthday we would tell you about the day you were born.
November 15th 1988:
I got a call from your mom telling me that she was on the way to the hospital to have you. I was at work and she was at a routine checkup looking at your progress. In the past 9 months, you had spent a great deal of time causing problems. Your mom stayed on the bed nearly 6 months to have you be safe. Your mom had Placentia Previa. The doctor who along with your mom, was helping to be sure you would be fine and healthy told her that she was not going home at all today, that it was almost time.
Your mom called me and told me that we were going to have a baby today. (At least that is what I heard) I was at work and instantly became Dick Van Dyke, and Ricky Ricardo when their wives told them it was time. All of my logic flew out the window as I walked around excited and nervous in the shop at Captain Video wondering what I should do next. My employees said "Go Captain, Go." I raced out of the shop, jumped into my RX-7 and sped down to Scripps in La Jolla. (Kind of felt like I was in a movie..go figure) As I headed closer and closer to the hospital, I found myself getting more and more nervous and excited. I parked the car and ran through the parking lot and headed towards the maternity ward. With each step I grew more nervous and as I headed toward your room, I realized that I was probably hyperventilating. As I entered your room, I fully expected that I missed the entire event only to find out that my imagination had run away with me and that you were still many hours away from being born. As a matter of fact you would not be born till the morning of the 15th. As I calmed down realizing that you would not be here till possibly the next day I began to feel hungry. Very hungry. I told my wife (who at this point was not allowed to eat anything but ice cubes) that I was going to the cafeteria to get something to eat. (This was probably not a great thing to say, she was starving! )
Your mom had a tough labor. You were turned around the wrong way (always a renegade doing what you wanted to do) and caused your mom a lot of pain. The pain of birth and the end of your life on this earth were the only times you ever caused us pain or sadness. Your life on this earth was filled with joy for us and anyone that knew you.
Anyway, long story short, you were born. You came out crying and the one thing I will always remember is that when I picked you up and said "Hi Jake!" and you stopped crying immediately. You knew who I was, recognized my voice from the 9 months I spent talking to you from the outside. I walked to the parking lot towards my car hours later to go home and sleep for a while. As I walked to the car I looked at my life and vowed to be the most responsible and fun Dad that I could be. I began to look towards the future and all the movies we would watch together and fun times we would have. And did we have fun! Your brother arrived just 11 months later, the best surprise I could have had and I watched you grow up with your sister and brother. Always the calm one, the logical one. Knowing more than anyone your age. Truly ahead of your time. Watching my little family was and continues to be the greatest joy in my life. I wish every day that you could have been with me longer and I look forward to seeing you one day. Till then I will always celebrate your birthday with a feeling of life and thanks for all of the joy you have given me and the rest of the world. I love you, your sister and your brother with a level that compares to nothing else in this world. I am thankful for that, and for you sharing your life with me. Even some of the worst times were some of the best times. I would do it all over again with you.
I love you Jake, Anne and Alex, strongly and forever. Happy Birthday "Jake-old!"
While we try to teach our children all about life,Our children teach us what life is all about.~Angela Schwindt
Sunday, November 15, 2009
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