when she was pregnant with him, about six weeks out she had dead serious pain. I took her to OBGYN, he couldn't figure it out. Put us in a waiting room for it seemed like forever. Then the door opens, in walks a doctor. He says, "Hi! I'm Dr. Christmas (his real name!), and we're taking that baby out this afternoon." Turns out he was some kind of specialist that was able to diagnose a rare, sometime fatal, condition known as HELLP Syndrome. Kinda like toximia, but worse. Blood platelets drop so low blood doesn't even coagulate. My soon was born 6 weeks premature and only 4 pounds 15 ounces. I came within 24 hours of losing both my wife and my son. He was in NICU for 10 days until he had gained enough weight to come home. He was born the day before my birthday, so in 3 weeks he will be 22 and I will be 71. He's as good as gold after a harrowing beginning, and I'm proud of my namesake.

Gotta stop now...tear in my eye.