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Saying Good-bye to Youth

By Jay Sauls

We reached the hospital, and my wife was taken to a room. I paced anxiously as various monitors were attached. The room beeped and hummed as we prepared for our baby. I tried to comfort and soothe my wife as the contractions came closer and harder. But contrary to popular belief, women in the throes of delivery pains don't want you touching them! I settled into a chair in the corner and chewed my nails to the quick. Above her head, the clock slowly ticked forward. I turned my head to the window. The sun was setting against a clear blue sky. Brilliant shades of red and orange reflected off the buildings outside our room. The weather on this side of town was clear, but a storm near home had left the horizon criss-crossed with rainbows – magical beams of light that arched above the city like a celestial honor guard.

Sherry wanted me beside her when the baby was born. I was not so certain I could be there. I get squeamish trying to clean fish! I had never seen a baby born, butI knew enough to realize that they did not come bubble wrapped! I let the sounds of the labor lull me off into my own little world. Dreams of family outings and trips to the zoo drifted by. Bedtime stories and knights chasing away invisible monsters played out behind my eyes. But this was real, it was happening. I was about to be Dad. And I was going to be the best ever! A tug of my sleeve brought me out of my revelry.

Want to see more?

• Entering as Husband, Exiting as Father
• How I Knew I Was a Dad
• The Joy of Fatherhood: The First 12 Months
• Talk about it!