Читать книгу Hope’s Daughters - R. Wayne Willis - Страница 73

I have lived, by my account, a charmed life—definitely not in the eyes of the rich and famous, and probably not to those up close and personal who know my deficiencies and heartbreaks. But as one who for three decades saw some of the worst things that befall individuals and families, I have become something of an expert at putting things in perspective.

My charmed life? I grew up a much-loved son. I won that lottery. It could have been different.

In 1969 I became a husband. I know now I could not have done better. I won that lottery. It could have been very different.

In 1972 I became a father. Our three sons have grown up to be responsible, interesting, respectable human beings. I could not be prouder. I won that lottery. It could have been very, very different.

Thanks to our sons and their wives, I acquired a fourth title-for-life in 2008. Six grandchildren for as long as they live will refer to me as Popple.

On the birth of our first grandchild on February 24, 2006, a picture and a quotation came to me. I am sure they will never leave my mind. The picture came from the 1977 television miniseries Roots. It is the scene where Omoro, Kunta Kinte’s father, took his eight-day-old baby boy into the jungle. On a beautiful, starlit night he reverently lifted his eyes and his newborn to the heavens and solemnly proclaimed: “Behold, the only thing greater than yourself.”

That blessing brings to mind words from Wordsworth: “A child, more than all other gifts that earth can offer to declining man, brings hope with it, and forward-looking thoughts.”

This is the story of my charmed life and I am sticking with it: the world should go on.