It all began with my mother. My mom is the picture of a perfect mother. She is not perfect, but she embodies the perfectness of motherhood.
I was the fifth in line of six siblings (4 boys and 2 girls). My mother always put her children before everyone and everything; even as adults, my mom still has the same motherhood instincts.
My mom and dad married while in their teens and as good model parents overcome all odds and obstacles to stay married until the departure of my dad 6 years ago due to heart failure! Even while my dad was in the hospital (everyone knowing that he probably would not survive), my mom still tried to protect us from the hurt of losing our dad!
My mom always told us that if her and my dad ever divorced that there was no way she would ever lose us kids…we would always be with her…and she meant it!! We all knew that she would stop at nothing to protect us…her family!!
This is the very same quality that I seen in my beautiful wife Linda!! She also embodies the perfectness of motherhood; her love for children was 2nd to none!! This matched my idea of the essence of what a wife and mother should be…sooo of course came marriage!
I have never seen anyone like her when it came to calming a crying baby! There was nothing that she would not do for her children, which makes it difficult for her to understand or tolerate bad motherhood.
All of this has led me to my love for children!! They are innocent and deserve to have a mother and father!! There were two who decided to take the step in their creation.
When Linda and I married, as I said my vows to her…it was a promise to our Lord as well…’Till Death Do Us Part’. Her children, which now were my responsibility, deserved the stability of a father and mother! It was not their decision to come into this world and because their real dad left, it gave me all the more incentive to show them that I would always be there for them.
Linda and I have been married now for 25 years!! We have had some very difficult times and some of the best times and there is no way I would ever change it! Linda has been my greatest blessing from the Lord (how could I not love the woman who gave me such a wonderful family! I could never ask for anything more).
The funny thing through all of this, is that I did not even realize that I loved babies as much as I do until the birth of our 11th grandchild…Gabriel Wayne (Wayne after my dad)! He has been with us since his birth; he is now 4 years old.
I have always been protective of children just did not realize that I not only had been blessed with a great family, but also with a way with the little ones…and what joy I have found!! All of those wasted years that I could have enjoyed my own babies more and the older grandchildren, not to mention the other babies I have encountered over the years.
To compensate for my lost time, I have volunteered at our church in the children ministry. This is always a blessing for me; I just love those little ones! They are so genuine and innocent! If I were not as old as I am, I would pursue a career in childcare or teaching! For now, I will have to be content being a happy grandfather and working with the children at church!
