I am a Grandfather (Again)

[Elspode]

Just getting in from the hospital and some errands after. My stepson Colin and his bride Kayleigh are now the proud parents of 7lb 7oz, 20" Gavin Colin Callaway, who entered this world via c-section at 3:35 PM CST today. She was originally due around the 10th of January, but they had determined that the child was rather largeish for her slight build, and was unlikely to change from his breach position, so they'd scheduled her for a December 31 procedure.

He didn't want to wait. Kayleigh began experiencing contractions this morning, and after they tried to suppress the contractions due to a lack of cervical dilation on her part, she then quickly dilated to 3cm, and the c-section proceeded.

The procedure went perfectly, and both mom and child are in perfect, perfect condition. Two grandmothers, three grandfathers, one grandmother's other significant other, and three neighbors were in attendance.

Gavin is my second grandchild, but in reality, he'll be the first as I have no access to Joseph, son of my child Stephen. Even though Gavin is not my blood grandchild, I've been stepfather to Colin, Gavin's father, since Colin was three, and I couldn't feel prouder or more grandfatherly if he was my own bloodline.

None of us really wanted our kids to be parents at 19. If we'd been allowed to design their futures, this happy event would have come along a few years down the line - say, after they had money, jobs, educations and a place to live. But now that Gavin is here, I cannot begin to express the joy and wonder I feel about the whole affair.

As I held him in my arms moments after he was brought to Kayleigh's room, I was overwhelmed with a feeling that I hadn't felt since I held my own son his natal day. As my eyes welled up and Selene stood smiling at us, I remarked that "we never really get used to this, do we?"

I pray I never become jaded to such a grand feeling. I pray that my grandson will grow healthy and strong in a world that is safe, guided by the hands of his loving family.

Today will always remain firmly in my heart as a blessing.