Happy Birthday Alison

Today is my beautiful daughter’s 23rd birthday. It has been the most wonderful time of my life. All of the teaching, helping, nurturing, feeding, changing, growing, evolving… has been an honor to be a part.

Twenty three years ago, I worked at Tom Thumb on Forest and Greenville Ave. I was scheduled to work; on call. I told them I wouldn’t be there because I had to be there for my child’s birth. I know now that it was the most important and special time of which I will ever be a part. To be there and welcome my daughter into this world is something which no one should miss.

I remember getting off work at 6:00 AM and heading to Medical City. Arrived, checked in and waited. The doctor was inducing labor that day, and I was a little nervous to say the least. Trying to catch a catnap with all of the in-and-out of the doctor and nurses was a chore. I think I managed to get about an hour’s worth of sleep, maybe a little more. After a few hours there were only small contractions and my wife was only at 2 cm. It didn’t seem to be working which was a little disheartening. I was so looking forward to being a daddy. :-)

At around 10:00, maybe a little later after all it has been 23 years, a doctor came in and checked my wife, said it may be a little while and then they were going to send her home. “She doesn’t want to be born today” A little later the doctor’s partner came in with a long, what looked like, knitting needle. Insert, break water… well she’s coming now! I was a little shocked to say the least.

At 9:00 PM CST, Alison Nicole Cozby was born into this world. After she was cleaned off and presented to mom, I had the pleasure of walking her for the first time. I don’t think my feet hit the floor. I was so happy to be a daddy. She was perfect too. 10 fingers and 10 toes. Just like they are supposed to. No stem on the apple, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. I walked proudly as any parent would.

I walked this little bundle of joy down to the waiting room and presented my daughter to her nana, my brother and his wife. My head was ringing from all of the excitement of the moment. I walked her down to the nursery where she stayed the night. I went back to be with my wife and help her recover from her ordeal. After a while I went home… I had to. I had been up for over 24 hours and needed some sleep. Spoke to my mother-in-law around 11:00 and told her the good news and off to beddy bye.

Alison, you are the most wonderful thing I can imagine. I love you and wish you the best day.

Pops :-)