CHAPTER 9: LIFE STILL GOES ON (2001-???)
As a result of what happened I ended up with no teaching assignment. The Department Chair promised faithfully that I would be the first one called to teach in the spring. Since the faculty agreement had been renegotiated and the language guaranteeing my first right of refusal had changed, I knew this was a "CROCK". I often thought that I would go and do battle for my rights which were guaranteed under the contract in existence when I retired. Each time I did I asked myself: "self, why would you want to restrict yourself to weekend only trips?" In retrospect the holy spirit intervened so that I could be present on the Birthday of the miracle who is the reason for this site. The class at Moraine ended in October and as a gesture of appreciation, my guys wanted to present a plaque to Jane Corradetti, my former colleague and their instructor. What a surprise when Jane revealed that she had received the American Legion School Award while in grade school. I am not surprised. That behind us, B and Baboo, as we would later be known arrived in Florida for Christmas 2002. After some disappointments, Kathi had become pregnant by invitro. The original due date looked like it would be December 15, so we arrived a bit early. The date was quickly changed to December 25, WOW a Christmas miracle. Christmas came and went and it was decided that if the boy hadn't arrived by an early January date that human intervention would be necessary. An appointment was made for early January with a call to be made if a cancellation happened. On the evening of New Years Day Jan 1, 2003, grandma and grandpa were upstairs in the in-law suite. The phone rang and David came upstairs to inform us that they needed to be at the hospital at 6:15 AM on Jan 2nd. We took care of the dogs and joined them along with Dave's mom at the hospital for what would be a long wait. After hours of waiting (around 7PM), it was decided to take the baby. This occurred about 10PM and at first glance at his size and length, one realized that the reason he did not appear on his own was that his feet were stuck in mom's rib cage. When placed on the scale in the nursery his weight oscillated between 9ibs 15 oz. and 10 lbs. The nurse counted to three, pushed the button and his weight locked in at 9lbs. 15 oz. No one will believe his birthday. I can hear it now, "Dirk what is your Birthday?" The answer 1, 2, 3. i.e. January 2, 2003. Yeah right!!! They would allow no visitors in intensive care (it wasn't until later we realized there had been problem) until Kathi convinced the nurses her mother would NOT leave until she had seen her. So finally, close to 1 AM we left the hospital to head "home". I had brought Dirk the Lionel Christmas 2002 box car (always a train guy) since he was to be a Christmas baby. He still has it and it comes out each Christmas. Someday we'll talk about the significance of the car. Of course, you always quietly hope about names. Dirk's first name is his Dad's middle name. The first or second day after he was born one of Kathi's friends inquired about the name. She said Dirk Charles Eskew, with which she gave her Dad a big smile. Wadda ya know? The kid actually got two middle names, his Dad's and mine. Of course he also got two doting grandparents who he quickly named B and Baboo. We think that Baboo is a cross pollination of granpoo, a character on one of the early TV shows he watched. Having heard this and hearing Mary call me Bob we theorize created Baboo. Where B came from we have no idea. He recently asked Mary why she is called that and was surprised to learn that he had given her that name early on. During the spring of 2003 there was some discussion of Dirk's Baptism. While Dad's side of the family worshipped in the Lutheran faith we are Catholic. Even though the Catholic Church is clear about such matters there was no way it would come into play. Anyway the kid's wanted family friends to be the Godparents and they were of another Christian faith. That is when the holy spirit stepped in. I was discussing the situation with a lay minister friend who had participated in the Baptismal ministry and she pointed out that many times there were more than two sponsors and that only one Catholic sponsor was necessary. I discussed the situation with our Senior Deacon who informed me that when he asked the question are you a Catholic only one sponsor need reply in the affirmative. I mentioned that to Kathi and taking Deacon Mike's advice waited for the holy spirit to intervene. Much to our joy it happened. David's step-brother (a catholic) stood as one of many sponsors and on June 28, 2003 Deacon Mike baptized Dirk in the Chapel at St Julie Church.
