I Heard Today You Were on the Way

It was the second week of February,1983. Very early one morning, my wife Hayden took a self-administered pregnancy test, and we learned that we were going to have our first child. For over a week, Hayden had been expecting this happy news, so, miraculously to me, she fell back to sleep. I was wide awake. I opened an old journal and recorded my thoughts. As I was cleaning out my office this week, I came across that journal for what I'm sure was the first time in 25 years.

Here is what it says.

I Heard Today You Were on Your Way

I heard today that your journey had begun;

We hope that your trip is safe.

Hayden and I are as overwhelmed with joy and emotion,

As overwhelmed with pride and happiness as when our journey together started.

In those early moments, thirteen Thanksgivings ago, our emotions were turned towards each other.

In those days, the future was the next time we were to see each other.

Our journey, our view of life’s goals started in each other’s faces.

Through the happiness and sadness of our thirteen years of travelling together,

Through the sharing of uncompromised joy, the terror of being lost, the difficult retracing of our steps and the tears of joy at the resighting of familiar landmarks, we arrive at this moment bearing a very rare treasure...the confident warmth of each other’s love.

It’s that confident caring that allows us to offer so much attention, so much love to a traveler who has yet to arrive.

It’s a fuller understanding of what it really means to love that allows us to use the word with unashamed joy.

I only pray that you can already feel the love that we share for you and use its warmth as a comforting blanket during your journey.

When you arrive, we’ll feed you, cloth you, and get you “on your feet” for what will be an exciting journey together.

If we’ve learned anything in our years together, it’s that there will surely be detours, and disappointments.  But our love for each other will always lead us back to the right road.

I’ve awakened a bit early today, filled with thoughts and emotions.

I’ll try to go back to sleep, but doubt that I’ll be successful.

Oh, by the way, it’s St. Valentine’s Day, 1983. 

John Constance