Thirty-one years ago right now, I was pushing. I remember the doctor coming in to check me and me telling him to go check on the woman in the other labor room who was screaming. I had the advantage of having saddle-blocks with both of my babies and never knew the horrible pain of giving birth. But I surely knew the joy of watching my babies be born and joyfully thanking God for them and welcoming them into this world....
Chip was born at 12:15 p.m. on this day in 1978. I remember the doctor asking me if he should tell Richard the sex of our baby or would I like to do it. (Back then, we didn't know ahead of time. Sounds archaic now, doesn't it?) I told Dr. Daly that I wanted to tell Richard. In a bit, as they wheeled Baby Chip and me out of the delivery room, I remember hollering to Richard who was down the hall somewhere: "It's a boy! It's a boy!"
Chip has been a blessing to us since the day of his birth. We thank God for our one and only son. We also thank God for His calling Chip into the ministry and for his ministry as a youth pastor. He has already touched a lot of lives in his 5 years of being a full-time youth pastor. How I wish his four grandparents were here to know that their grandson has followed in their Godly steps.
When Chip was a very young child, I read the following poem. It was what I wanted for Chip and so I typed it, framed it, and it hung in his bedroom for a long time. I share it here as a salute to Chip for the fine way he has carried his father's name, Charles Richard II:
It was all he had to give
So it's yours to use and cherish
For as long as you may live
If you lost the watch he gave you
It can always be replaced;
But a black mark on your name
Can never be erased
It was clean the day you took it
And a worthy name to bear
When he got it from his father
There was no dishonor there
So make sure you guard it wisely
After all is said and done
You'll be glad the name is spotless
When you give it to your son.
Happy Birthday, Chip.
We love you.
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