Alexander Joseph Amsden was born on March 22, 2010 at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Burbank, California. (I can almost hear the collective "Awww...")Even with a somewhat challenging first week (A laborsome --- for Dallas, anyway --- 27-hours ending with a C-Section birth complicated by pneumonia that put him in the NICU for a full week), Lex is now home with Meg and me - happy, healthy and no worse for wear. Thanks for your prayers!
When we got home on Monday night, Meg looked at me and shot me the age-old question, "so, what do we do with him now?"
I laughed.
That's it. I didn't have a good answer --- I simply laughed (it's my coping mechanism; all right!)
AND THEN IT HIT ME...
Lex is, for all intents and purposes, my dependent. That's even how the government looks at him. On tax forms, he is listed as my "dependent."
He depends on me. Depends. Someone else depends on me --- for food, shelter, warmth, clothing, etc., etc. --- Aaaahhh!
I am the least dependent person I know. I'm pretty sure my wife Meg doesn't even depend on me! I've never heard her say to anyone, "my husband, Dallas - he's so dependable."
And I know I don't depend on myself. This isn't even a question of being independent --- this is an issue of being nondependent.
Even without a child, when I was predependent, I was nondependent. Now, I have a dependent, and I feel more undependent than ever.
How can a nondependent sufficiently provide for an overdependent? And, it's not like he is selfdependent, codependent or even quasidependent --- those are dependencies I can depend on!
How will this situation turn out? --- I guess it all depends...
Hey Honey, it's your wife chiming in .....
ReplyDeleteShould I read this post with your "Seinfeld" voice in mind- I mean, "what's the deal with all the dependencies anyway"?" Or your philosophical voice?
Are you waxing serious or silly or a little bit of both? Oh wait, pretty sure I know the answer! I love you (and I depend on you....this little boy wouldn't be here today if I couldn't depend on you! ) xoxo, ~Meg
hehehe.... dependent sounds so funny in my head now.
ReplyDeleteYou have a gift, a true gift! You are a master with words my brother!
ReplyDeleteYes, Meg, I think I'm definitely hearing a bit of a Seinfeld voice...too funny! And yet, so true!
ReplyDeleteI think it is the voice of a sleep deprived first time daddy. You will do great Dallas!
ReplyDeleteI might have to agree with Randi here! But...I am certain you will all do wonderful together!
ReplyDeleteI tried to think of a witty comment using the word depend in a way you hadn't yet - all I could come up with was: Today he depends on your for a clean diaper and in the wink of an eye you'll be the one wearing Depends.
ReplyDeleteI know, lame. You are much funnier.
ps. I know you're joking b/c you better know dependable you really are.
I heard you say this once,"it's not about me, it's about him". Congrats again! and welcome baby Lex.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmmm. Well, besides a grand "congratulations", I must say that all your musings make me smile, for - believe me - at my age, I seem to be able to see some wonderful change coming or some lightbulb realization that you are actually much more dependable than you have ever thought yourself to be. Babies seem to either bring out the best in you or (if you are really wanting God's plan) cause you to open up to the changes that God wants to make. Either is only good. Love you and Meg and know that the "best" is in store for you both.
ReplyDeleteI know you and Meg will do fine. You will settle into a routine and be wonderful parents to Lex. :)
ReplyDelete