You're On Your Own Now!

Growing up I always told Kaylee the day after she turned 18 I was tossing her out of the house.  Being one of the youngest in her class, she graduated high school at the age of 17 and received notification she was accepted to The University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

It was a hectic summer getting everything organized, planning the trip, and arranging to get her moved down there.  In order to arrive by August 21st for orientation Marie, Kaylee and I would leave on the 19th.

As we were driving through New Mexico on the way to UTPB, Kaylee suddenly shot upright in the backseat and started laughing.  "OMG, Dad, you were right," she said.  It dawned on her she was on the road, leaving home...and her birthday was the day before on August 18th.

Your father never lies, Kaylee.  Happy Birthday, I love you!

First Night as a Father

When Kaylee was born I instantly went from "non-father" to "father".  Kaylee's birth was, as births go, uneventful.  She was small and cute.  Marie was tired.

That night, around 2:00 am, Kaylee was squirming and making little noises.  Marie was sleeping and I didn't want to wake her.  I picked up Kaylee, went back to my chair in the room, and placed her on my chest.  I hummed songs to her and she quieted down with my arms holding her.  After a few minutes I joined her in slumberland.  Sometime in the morning Marie came over and picked Kaylee up to nurse her.  Marie was good and quiet as I never woke up.

Of course, when consciousness did return to me I shot straight awake.  Kaylee was gone and the first thought through my mind was, "Oh Shit,  I dropped the baby!"