My parents made me go to my piano lesson when my nephew Daniel was being born, so I missed my chance to be at the hospital for the big event. (Checking: Yep. Still bitter!) Josh was born in New Jersey during March, so I had to stay home and in school. I tried to be in Georgia for twins Sarah’s and Gina’s births, but they took their sweet time, so once again: back in school. Aaron was born in Utah in December while I was at work in Houston. Jess was born in Houston while I was in school at Alabama. SO…
All that is to say that it was thrilling for me when I got to be at the hospital while my friend Kathy L was giving birth to Joey. All the photos I took that night in the waiting room are mostly blurry, but this is one of my absolute favorites in spite of the poor quality:
Kathy’s husband Mike and her father stand on either side of the corridor that leads to her. Those were the days when daddies and everyone else were NOT allowed near the mysterious inner sanctum of Labor & Delivery.
Not only was I at the hospital for Joey’s birth, but I was at Kathy’s and Mike’s apartment when they brought him home from the hospital. In fact, I changed Joey’s first diaper at home–I had plenty of that experience with my nephews and nieces and was able to put it to good use.
I just adored that little rascal and was lucky to be part of most of his early years. We moved to Texas when Joey was eight; since they moved to the Northeast, it ended up that I haven’t seen him since. He’s a grown man now. He’s been through college (graduated with honors!), the Marines, and now works in Graphic Design. His mother, justifiably proud of him, calls Joey an “edgy artist.”
I’m delighted that I still have some of his early work:
What I love most: that backwards “J” and upside-down “Y” of his signature. I’m betting he doesn’t sign his art that way anymore.
Perhaps he should sign it that way? Anti-establishment?
My dad was away working when I was born – I think one of my grandparents told him over the phone that I’d been born.
In those days, men might as well have not been there. They weren’t a part of any of it anyway.