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| Your closest family at your mom and dad's wedding |
Sorry for the generic title to this letter to you
but your mother and father have been steadfast in their determination not to
share your name with us until you’ve made your appearance. Your Great-aunt
Denise has called you Oscar and you’ve been referred to as ‘Grommet’. You are
already collecting nicknames. It is exactly two weeks before your due date,
though I expect you’ll be a little early on the scene. In your case, a little early
is just fine because you’ve been eagerly awaited by many of us. I thought today
would be a good day to tell you a few things about your family and what I
believe for you.
First, let’s look at that word I put in the first
sentence, ‘steadfast’. My friend Webster says steadfast is to be firm in
belief, determination, or adherence. Webster is a friend I hope to someday sit
with you and get to know a little better; I learn something every time he and I
get together. Listening to what he say about steadfast, I have no doubt it
applies to you – it’s genetic. Your whole family line on both sides has it as
far back as I can see. Now, a scientist may tell you that DNA has no bearing on
a trait such as ‘steadfastness’ but I am a simple man trying to be faithful to
scripture and Paul tells us differently when he spoke to about Timothy’s faith
which was first seen in Timothy’s grandmother and then his mother. See? Simple.
You’ll find firm determination in your parents, firmness in belief in your
grandparents because of God’s good grace, and firm adherence in all your
great-grandparents that I’ve had the joy of knowing.
Next, let’s talk a little bit about the family you’ll
be born into. I’ve known your mother since the first moment she was born and I felt many of the things she and your dad have felt as they’ve prepared to
welcome you. They’ve been amazed and nervous, steady in their preparations for
you and a little frightened they may have forgotten something important, and tender
toward you and each other while being a bit like the momma and poppa bear in
protecting you. They’ve done really well and you’ll be taken care of like a
prince.
Your mom was a partner of mine in some great
adventures in Arizona with the church kids while we worked, worshipped, and
played together. I coached her basketball teams and saw every play she had role in for the Crescenta Valley High School drama department. She has never been a ‘drama queen’ nor
is she fond of the kind of drama I’m eluding to here. She is steady,
perceptive, and rational; fun loving, adventurous, and brave. I have a tender
spot for all my kids and I am fiercely proud of all of them. She’ll be a
fantastic mother for you.
I’ve known your dad since he was a rambunctious third
grader, about seven years old. He was in the first Sunday school class I taught
when your Grandmother Mumsy and I rejoined the La Crescenta Presbyterian
Church. I had fun with him when he came into the Junior High program of the
church and went with me to Arizona. He came back to Arizona after graduating high
school and I taught him a little gorilla sign language, something he may want
to teach you when you’re old enough. He played football, baseball, and
basketball and is a very competitive man; he loves to do well and competes most
strongly with himself. I have always loved him; first as a little boy, then as
teenager, and then as a young man. I had a feeling he and your mom would get
together and I’m glad I was right. He has a lot to teach you.
It was during high school your mom and dad met and
became friends. That’s a huge advantage to them as a husband and wife and I
believe their friendship will be a great help to them as your mom and dad.
I’ve known your Grandma Chambers since she was a little
girl and our families went on vacations together. She swam in our pool, played
with our dogs, and now she directs the Center for Children that her mom, my
mom, and some their good friends started way back when. 50 years ago actually. She’s
smart, loving, and kind. Right now, she is a little tender with you coming into
the picture and your Aunt Kelsey getting married in a just two weeks. I love
our partnership with the school and I love watching how well she cares for her
staff and the children of the center. She will be a load of fun for you.
I’ve known your Grandpa Chambers about the shortest
of all those I’m talking about here. He’s a bit enigmatic but I watch him and
have observed that steadfast quality I talked about earlier. He gives his heart
to people and sticks by them; he’s a faithful and strong friend to have by
anyone’s side. If he tells you he’s going to do something, you can believe that
it will get done and done well. He will be one of your biggest fans in whatever
you pursue.
Your Grandmother Mumsy is a gifted artist in
several media. She has been a fantastic Labor and Delivery nurse and is a Psychologist,
I’ll let her explain what that is, but believe me, she is an excellent listener
and counselor. Both your grandmothers have been a big help and support to your
mom. I love Mumsy dearly and wish I’d done it better but I’m working on that.
She will do great and fun things with you and help you discover the artist inside of you. All of us have at least little creativity and only a few discover it as a
passion like she has. I can’t wait to see her holding you for the first time. The
look on her face and the love that will be coming from her is likely to break
my heart in a very good way.
You have aunts and uncles, great-grandparents,
great-aunts and uncles, and cousins all eager to meet you for the first time. I’d
tell you about each one, how I love them all, and what I think they’ll mean to
you but then this letter would go on and on and I might not leave any stories
for others to tell. I can’t let myself have all the fun. Although, I may have
to write you a second letter and tell you about your cousins since they’re my
grandchildren too. Regarding your cousins, you’ll learn sometime soon that your
Uncle Daniel and Aunt Ani are having a baby and you will have a cousin only
four months or so younger than you. Won’t that be excellent?
You will be a blessing to many; a loyal friend,
teammate and partner. You’ll be a son to make your mom and dad proud and happy.
You will make us smile and cry at the same time. You will do amazing things
because you’ll be steadfast, strong, fun-loving, steady, and a bit wacky. Some
of your best friends will be your cousins, older ones and younger both. You
will be loving – and there is nothing better than that.
I can’t wait to hold you, rock you to sleep, and watch
over you. Someday we’ll get to roll around on the floor together and wrestle. You’ll
probably win; that’s usually how it works. I’ll tell you other things that
might amaze you. I certainly hope to make you laugh.
Your Opa
