YOUR HEART BEAT

Dear Spike:

The nurse just brought in a set of warm blankets, but your mother is still shivering — a typical reaction to the pain medication, she tells us.

Other than that, your mom is resting well — even managing to catch a few minutes of sleep between visits from the nurses and anesthesiologist.

On the computer screen behind her, I can see a red line tracking your heart beat (you’re ticking away at about 150 beats per minute) and a blue line tracking your mother’s contractions (they’re coming every minute and a half and, by the looks of your heartline, squeezing the heck out of you.)

You’re coming. Today.

I thought perhaps that I’d have something special or significant to tell you on your birthday — some piece of great advice I’ve been storing away, deep in my soul.

I close my eyes and listen for the voices that tell me what to tell you. But all I can hear is your heartbeat, coming through the computer speaker...

Thu-tump, thu-tump, thu-tump, thu-tump

And all I can think is that it is the most beautiful sound in the world...

Thu-tump, thu-tump, thu-tump, thu-tump

... and all my soul is telling me, right now, is that which I have known since I first learned you were coming...

Thu-tump, thu-tump, thu-tump, thu-tump

... you will be loved. Unconditionally. And forever...

Thu-tump, thu-tump, thu-tump, thu-tump

... and in exchange, all I ask of you is this...

Thu-tump, thu-tump, thu-tump, thu-tump

... in all you do in this world, listen to your heart.

Love,
dad