December 2nd, 2006
This entry was posted on December 3, 2006 12:02 AM and is filed under the troops.
December 2nd, 2006 ... An Early Christmas Present
I just got an email from my friend Cheryl Castanedo. She wrote to tell me her daughter Kelly Garcia just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Cheryl went to the hospital with her daughter, ... not the babies father. Kelly cried when she heard her baby cry for the first time. Part joy, part sadness missing her husband.
This has been a very difficult pregnancy for Kelly because she knew the babies father would not be there with her. In fact, he isn't even in the same state. No, he's not a dead beat dad, quite contrary, he is an outstanding father and husband. He was there for the births of their first two daughters, Ashley and Olivia, but his job has taken him away from the girls, their Mom and their new baby sister.
Ten-minutes after the birth, and while the newest addition to the Garcia family was testing her lungs for the first time, Kelly's cell phone rang, ... it was dad, ... long distance, checking to see how Mom, and daughters are doing. Manny Garcia, US Army wanted to be there but he is currently serving his country in Iraq. The last few months of the pregnancy have really added stress to Kelly's life while she prepared for birth and worried about Manny's safety.
I sit here and think about everything good in America, and all the great things we all have. It's guys and gals like Manny who make it that way and it's guys and gals like Manny who have made it this was for over 200 years.
Imagine all the wonderful things there are to share when a new baby comes into a family. That sweet babies breath. The little hand curling around a dad's finger. Holding a new born in one arm. The quiet late night feedings, when it's just you and the baby. Mom and Dad holding each other, almost congratulating each other for producing a little miracle. The joy of making a baby smile and laugh. Imagine all the joy parents of a newborn share during the first few months, and now imagine Kelly and her mom and daughters having to go it alone, while Manny twists and turns on his cot in the desert at night hearing all about his new daughter and hearing little Mia's voice on the phone, 7,500 mile away.
God bless the Garcia family and the huge sacrifice they are making for us.
To Manny, thank you from the bottom of my families heart.
To Kelly, thanks for going through this without Manny and for sharing your story with me. I know there are more mom's going it alone while their husbands are serving overseas, ... we just never really hear or think about you and what it must be like.
And of course I'd like to officially welcome MIA ANNE GARCIA, ... 5 lbs. 11 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long.
Mia's grandmother, Cheryl, is a daily reading of this blog, ... you can send emails directly to her for Manny and Kelly. The Email address is cherylcastanedo@hotmail.com
I just got an email from my friend Cheryl Castanedo. She wrote to tell me her daughter Kelly Garcia just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Cheryl went to the hospital with her daughter, ... not the babies father. Kelly cried when she heard her baby cry for the first time. Part joy, part sadness missing her husband.
This has been a very difficult pregnancy for Kelly because she knew the babies father would not be there with her. In fact, he isn't even in the same state. No, he's not a dead beat dad, quite contrary, he is an outstanding father and husband. He was there for the births of their first two daughters, Ashley and Olivia, but his job has taken him away from the girls, their Mom and their new baby sister.
Ten-minutes after the birth, and while the newest addition to the Garcia family was testing her lungs for the first time, Kelly's cell phone rang, ... it was dad, ... long distance, checking to see how Mom, and daughters are doing. Manny Garcia, US Army wanted to be there but he is currently serving his country in Iraq. The last few months of the pregnancy have really added stress to Kelly's life while she prepared for birth and worried about Manny's safety.
I sit here and think about everything good in America, and all the great things we all have. It's guys and gals like Manny who make it that way and it's guys and gals like Manny who have made it this was for over 200 years.
Imagine all the wonderful things there are to share when a new baby comes into a family. That sweet babies breath. The little hand curling around a dad's finger. Holding a new born in one arm. The quiet late night feedings, when it's just you and the baby. Mom and Dad holding each other, almost congratulating each other for producing a little miracle. The joy of making a baby smile and laugh. Imagine all the joy parents of a newborn share during the first few months, and now imagine Kelly and her mom and daughters having to go it alone, while Manny twists and turns on his cot in the desert at night hearing all about his new daughter and hearing little Mia's voice on the phone, 7,500 mile away.
God bless the Garcia family and the huge sacrifice they are making for us.
To Manny, thank you from the bottom of my families heart.
To Kelly, thanks for going through this without Manny and for sharing your story with me. I know there are more mom's going it alone while their husbands are serving overseas, ... we just never really hear or think about you and what it must be like.
And of course I'd like to officially welcome MIA ANNE GARCIA, ... 5 lbs. 11 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long.
Mia's grandmother, Cheryl, is a daily reading of this blog, ... you can send emails directly to her for Manny and Kelly. The Email address is cherylcastanedo@hotmail.com
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December 3, 2006 8:50 AM
Cheryl Castanedo wrote:
Joe,
I just read your blog; thank you for sharing a part of their life with your readers. I will certainly extend your families congrats to both of them.
When you mentioned the part about Manny on his cot, you were so accurate. I received an email from him
this morning very concerned if they were really okay. He was so worried and wanted to know if anything wrong with the baby because she was so small. He was having a hard time opening the pictures I forwarded to him but I put his mind at ease.
Grandma had a rough night. I had both of their girls in bed with me, there were a lot of tears missing mommy and then it turned to "my daddy is all alone." I kept telling them daddy is with all his soldiers friends.
Thanks again Joe,
Cheryl
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December 10, 2006 9:36 PM
Kelly Garcia wrote:
Dear Joe,
I wanted to thank you for Manny and myself for sharing our special day with your readers. Your words were very touching to me and I thank you. The birth of Mia was bitter sweet and such a blessing in our lives, even though my husband was unable to share the moment with me. However, I know in my heart he is doing what he loves and is where he wants to be.
From what my mother has told me about you and from what I read, you seem to be a kind caring man. As well as my mother, I too appreciate all that you do for others. My mother and I both look forward to seeing you perform someday.
Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for caring and sharing about my family.
Sincerely,
Kelly Garcia
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