The Princess

   I'll admit it, I have a great deal of guilt about this.  I racked my brain for the last 24 hours to think of something, anything interesting in my life that has nothing to do with Diabetes.  Me?  Well, not so interesting.  My work?  Yeah, no, this would be a 3 day b!*@# fest.  It took me almost 24 hours to figure out what to write about.  Here comes the kick in the head.  It's Alexandra.  I have a beautiful six year old daughter that is my princess, one of my few true loves, and it took me a whole day to realize how little time I spend talking about her.

   On December 10th, 2003, I took my wife to the hospital for the first steps of having labor induced.  The following day we went back for the big deal.  I remember sitting in the room finally cracking the book she bought for me "So, You're Going to be a Dad".  It was a fairly calm event in the beginning.  The nurse's name was Grace Kelly (yeah, how could I forget that).

   Shortly after 5pm she was having an emergency C.  There was meconium in the womb and she was not dilating past 4cm.  We actually bumped another mother out of the OR, which may not be a big deal on any other day, but this was the grand opening day of the new ward at the hospital and the closing of the maternity ward at the other hospital.  Alexandra was officially the first baby born after the big change.

   After a big fight - Alex vs. the OBGYN (she scooted to the top, not wanting to come out, first proof of superior intelligence) I remember, and will never forget, the nurse handing her to me.  I cried as I fell in love in a way I never had before and never before imagined possible.  She was the most beautiful little person I had ever seen.  It was a perfect moment.  It's a moment I can't help but get choked up over every time I think about it.  If I were Robin Williams in Hook, this would be my happy thought to fly.

   I know everyone says their little baby is the most beautiful and special - everyone's right - but Alex was our little bundle of beautiful perfection.

   She has grown and changed quite a bit over the years.  She is smart and goofy.  She can get her b!*@# on, and she can give you that look that will make your heart melt.  I've tried extra hard in the last 13 months, 1 week and 2 days to make sure that she gets some extra special attention.  Unfortunately, the matter of fact is that Jonathan often needs a little extra.  I try to, each week, make some special time for just her and I to do something.  Usually it's Sunday mass and then brunch, but with recent changes Jonathan can now more easily join in odd hour meals so he's joining us at church.

   Alex is in grade 2 now.  She is quite popular and has many friends (she's doing way better than I did anyway).  She's not perfect; a little better than the average student, but she's bright and full of life and her teachers are quite pleased with her progress.  She says she wants to be a dentist when she grows up.  I'm sure that may change a dozen times before high school.  Really, it doesn't matter to me what she chooses as a profession as long as she's happy, secure, and has a full life - God willing some grandchildren for us so I can have some sense of payback.

   I love my little girl more than life itself.  She is one of the most precious gifts I have ever received, and I will love her for ever.

Here is my Princess: