Twenty-two years ago this morning Patty woke me up to say, “We better get to the hospital or . . ..” It was the “or” part I was not sure I wanted to question. I still remember that foggy Saturday morning. We made the trek down Wheatland Road to Charlton Methodist Hospital. Within about twenty minutes we had our Tommie.
Parents like to think they shape their children. And, in certain ways there is little doubt. The older Tommie gets the more I see the ways Patty’s heart for other people is demonstrated in Tommie’s concern for others. She loves her new job caring for children with terminal conditions. She has always had a place for those who seem to fall through the cracks or are discarded by human systems that reward privilege.
Children shape their parents. Only the most strident, un-yielding parent could contend their children do not in some way help them become both better people and better parents. We are glad for both our girls. But today, is Tommie Day. We, Patty and me, are glad God gifted us with Tommie. Our shared lives have made us better people and better parents.
We love you our little “spitfire!”