This past Saturday was Caleb’s birthday. He turned 19. Wow…………….. 19 years old already! I was thinking about what I was doing at age 19. At 19 I was already married, and just over a month away from being a father for the 1st time.
I can remember the doctor’s appointment that we went to back in late 1996. Just by chance the doctor asked if Tab and I wanted to know what the sex of our newest addition would be. At 1st we were thinking, no that’s ok, but then we decided, why not. We already had 2 beautiful daughters, so another one would be just fine as long as he/she were a healthy bouncing baby. I can remember the joy as the doctor said “congratulations….. you are having a baby boy”. I never thought that it would mean that much to me. When I was 19 and we were expecting our 1st, I wished for a little bald headed baby girl. God answered that prayer with our Rebekah. After that I hadn’t really wished one way or another really as we were not planning on having any more kids after Tamra Came along. But hearing those words, It’s a boy, brought such a rush of excitement to my heart that I could hardly contain it. Even Tab was teasing me about how big I smiled when the doctor told us.
Caleb was a big boy when he was born. Tab went well past her due date with him, to the point where the doctor scheduled her to come in to induce labor, telling Tab that it was that or he was going to walk out of the womb. The day Caleb was born, was a special time. I can remember the presence of the Lord being so prevalent in that labor/delivery room. Every birth was special, but with Caleb, even the doctor stayed around for a while after the birth just to bask in the joy that we were feeling when he was born.
Caleb was a happy baby boy. Once he started crawling and climbing, he was a handful for Tab to keep up with. I would often come home for lunch during my days working for Covington Paper. I would get to see the girls and play with Caleb. I love all of my children the same…… and different. There is something special about each one of them that you not only love, but you like the differences in their personalities. Caleb has always been tender hearted for a as long as I can remember. He has a true care for others that not many young men have. I can remember one night in our little apartment in West Va. I had gotten down to pray with Caleb before bed, and I can’t remember what was laying so heavy on my heart, but I just broke out in tears as I was praying and soon I realized that Caleb was crying just as hard for me. He has a heart like that. He always has been. One of his sayings was “I wuva, wuva, wuva, you”. As he got older I saw him begin to give in to the Lord as well. His heart was for worship. I can remember hearing him in his room, just praying out to the Lord one on one and receiving such a sense of joy, that my son was exceeding my own walk with the Lord.
When Caleb was 14 he started working at Colortyme Rent to Own, which is Co-Owned by my employer. He has been working part-time there ever since. He bought his 1st car when he was 15. He is very responsible with his money. He is a faithful tither, which is one reason that God has blessed him. He always is getting his mom something when we are at the grocery or Dollar General. He gives some of the best gifts at birthdays and Christmas. Caleb is such a giver. Not only gifts and monetarily, but with his time. He will take time to torment and roughhouse with his sisters. They act like they hate it, but there are times when I catch them starting it with him. Whenever anyone asks him for help with something, he is willing. Sometimes he will whine a bit to his mom or me about chores, but if he knows it is a real need he is right in there helping out where he can.
I am so proud of the man that my son has turned into. My prayer continues to be that he will exceed my abilities in all things. He has a mind that amazes me. Yet he can’t seem to get himself up in the mornings! Typical college kid. I look at his chosen field of study in college….Electrical Engineering, and I am lost. He will try to explain some things to me about a class that he had that day, and I sit there and think………….”yeah right”. I know that Caleb can do anything that he puts his mind to. He has a heart of gold.
One thing that I didn’t realize way back then in that doctor’s office, that I now know is that my only son has also turned into one of my best friends. I am so glad that we have gotten to work together these past few years at the rental store. We have a great friendship that I cherish. So Caleb…………….. Happy birthday to you. I love you. Dad
For This I’m Thankful…………………………………………………………..
For This I'm Thankful 