A Boy and His Mission
We were in New Orleans when the call came. We had just finished some coffee and biengets at the Cafe du Monde and were on the levee about to take a stroll down the river walk. I recognized the number and the voice. Fearfully, reluctantly I handed Maura the phone. Silence and what seemed to be hours passed. Then screaming. Lots of screaming. I'm quite certain the people in Algiers just across the Mississippi River from where we were standing heard it. Certainly the hordes of people in Jackson Square heard it.
Until that day, I did not think it possible to garner the collective attention of the crowds of people passing through the French Quarter. I now know.
The tears came. Huge alligator tears released from their caches having been contained some five months, probably longer. She screamed. I smiled. She cried. I laughed. I knew. And now most of Greater New Orleans knew.
We were going to have a boy! Zoë was going to have a baby brother. My wife could have died right then and there and I'm sure would have not counted a single moment in her life more precious. Her dreams certainly were coming true.
I was a bit more reserved. Cautious. You see, I was afraid of what a second child might do to me. What a second child might do to the bond between Zoë and me. I had loved Zoë unimaginably and could not fathom splitting that love between two. Sharing it. It's one of the still unexplained mysteries of parenting. How can you possibly love each child as much as the other without loving any or either the less? I'll give you the answer I was given--YOU JUST DO.
Zane arrived on August 1, 2002 on one of the hottest days of record. It was miserable hot. Undaunted, Zane set about on that day on his mission to affect the life of every single person with whom he came into contact whether it be the surgeon and anesthesiologist in the delivery room whom he peed all over, the neonatal nurse who he pooped on (immediately after his first bath), his aunts who were instantly smitten with his charm or his dad who wasn't quite sure he could love another as much as Zoë.
Zane has transformed me, my whole way of thinking, my life. He has a heart that is bigger than he will ever be. Every ounce of his little body exudes happiness and he wants nothing more than to share that with everyone he meets. His laughter is infectious. He's playful. He's serious. He's brilliant. His determination to succeed is amazing. He's at that age where people will ask--as people often do--so what do you want to be when you grow up?
He's quick to answer, "I want to be a quarterback but I'm kind of small so I'll probably be a kicker, too. I'm also going to play baseball, and basketball and soccer. Then I want to save all of the animals in the South Pole. And.....I want there to be peace." With each passing day it seems he wants to add another thing to an already impressive potential resume. He always asks, "Dad, can I be.....?" To which I always reply, "Of course you can."
Because when you're a six year old little boy you need to believe that anything is possible and that every dream can still come true.
Not many people ask me anymore-- what do you want to be when you grow up? That's OK. I've never really had an answer. But I think I'm getting close.
When I grow up, I want to be like my son.
Happy Birthday, Wild Man!
Until that day, I did not think it possible to garner the collective attention of the crowds of people passing through the French Quarter. I now know.
The tears came. Huge alligator tears released from their caches having been contained some five months, probably longer. She screamed. I smiled. She cried. I laughed. I knew. And now most of Greater New Orleans knew.
We were going to have a boy! Zoë was going to have a baby brother. My wife could have died right then and there and I'm sure would have not counted a single moment in her life more precious. Her dreams certainly were coming true.
I was a bit more reserved. Cautious. You see, I was afraid of what a second child might do to me. What a second child might do to the bond between Zoë and me. I had loved Zoë unimaginably and could not fathom splitting that love between two. Sharing it. It's one of the still unexplained mysteries of parenting. How can you possibly love each child as much as the other without loving any or either the less? I'll give you the answer I was given--YOU JUST DO.
Zane arrived on August 1, 2002 on one of the hottest days of record. It was miserable hot. Undaunted, Zane set about on that day on his mission to affect the life of every single person with whom he came into contact whether it be the surgeon and anesthesiologist in the delivery room whom he peed all over, the neonatal nurse who he pooped on (immediately after his first bath), his aunts who were instantly smitten with his charm or his dad who wasn't quite sure he could love another as much as Zoë.
Zane has transformed me, my whole way of thinking, my life. He has a heart that is bigger than he will ever be. Every ounce of his little body exudes happiness and he wants nothing more than to share that with everyone he meets. His laughter is infectious. He's playful. He's serious. He's brilliant. His determination to succeed is amazing. He's at that age where people will ask--as people often do--so what do you want to be when you grow up?
He's quick to answer, "I want to be a quarterback but I'm kind of small so I'll probably be a kicker, too. I'm also going to play baseball, and basketball and soccer. Then I want to save all of the animals in the South Pole. And.....I want there to be peace." With each passing day it seems he wants to add another thing to an already impressive potential resume. He always asks, "Dad, can I be.....?" To which I always reply, "Of course you can."
Because when you're a six year old little boy you need to believe that anything is possible and that every dream can still come true.
Not many people ask me anymore-- what do you want to be when you grow up? That's OK. I've never really had an answer. But I think I'm getting close.
When I grow up, I want to be like my son.
Happy Birthday, Wild Man!
Posted by Zoe's Dad at Thursday, July 31, 2008 11:00 PM and is filed under A Really Good Kid,Six Years Old,Birthday,Happy birthday,zane 
You always write such beautiful tributes to your children on their birthdays. They always make me tear up a bit. And you completely nailed Zane. That is exactly his personality. He's such a wonderful kid! Can't wait to celebrate his birthday tomorrow!
I'm struggling with the same question now. We have one kid and are thinking about another. Thanks for answering that question. Like becoming a dad, you just do. Happy birthday to Zane! I better remember the name because he's bound to be famous in SOMETHING.
Well done Ed! I really enjoyed reading this post. Happy Birthday Wild Man! I look for you to be the first 3 (or 4) sport pro athlete some day.
Happy Birthday Zane, born on Yorkshire Day you cannot fail to live your dreams - keep dreaming and keep listening to your old man and you won't go far wrong.
What a great post! Happy Birthday Zane!
Now I'm craving bengiets from Cafe du Monde. Thanks.
I am sitting here at work (yes, I actually went into the office on a Friday but only because I HAD to) with tears streaming down my face! Don't do that to me Ed! Seriously though, you do have an amazing little man. And my remembrance of Zane's birth day was getting my first speeding ticket since high school because I was rushing to your house to watch Zoe while you guys went to the hospital...obviously it was not the usual reason for rushing because Maura was not having contractions - but I had told you I would be there by noon and I had ended up leaving the office late - and I didn't want to make you guys late for this awesome occasion!!!
A beautiful tribute to my adorable grandson! Thanks, Ed
This was a beautiful post Ed!! Happy Birthday to your sweet little guy!
When I was pregnant with my 2nd I had the same concerns. My midwife told me something that sticks with me always.
A mother's love is never divided, each child gets it all. I'm betting it's true for fathers too!
Zanes are great!
Happy Birthday to yours!
Happy Happy Wild Man!
Great post Ed. It's amazing how incredibly awesome kids are.
I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. But you are dead on. The kids ROCK! Being just a little like them is a lofty goal!
Awesome little man in that pic. They grow up too fast.
Oh man! He's a doll! Do you think he likes older women? I have nine year old daughter I'd be interested in setting up. Call me in 12 years.
Aw, Ed, you write beautifully. Happy Belated Birthday Zane!!!
Happy birthday, Zane! My Zoe is 1 year and three days behind you.
I could completely relate to your feelings about child number two coming on the scene. I was completely enmeshed with my 19 month old daughter when I discovered I was expecting again. I wanted a second child. At least in theory, I did. When I found out a second was indeed on his way, I cried--because it would no longer just be Zoe and I while Daddy was at work. I didn't want to divide my love and attention with a second.
It is a mystery. Somehow, with two, my love for each of them multiplied rather than divided.
What a fantastic post! Happy birthday Zane!
Beautiful post Ed. Sorry I'm so late but I still want to wish Zane a Happy Birthday!
Is that photo from a modeling gig, cuz that boy is CUTE!
Lovely, lovely, lovely post.