I had some errands to run and told her that I would call her back soon. I walked up to Home plus-about a mile-and-a-half away from where I live-had lunch at McDonald’s and went downstairs to pick up a few groceries. I had this strange feeling while I was shopping that I should hurry up and instead of walking back home, to take a taxi back.

It was a good thing because as soon as I called Aon, she had gone into labor. Her mother had answered the phone and she didn’t have to say much because I could hear Aon in the background. Just then, the phone went dead, so I called back immediately. And when her mother answered again, I heard Jeremy Aaron crying in the background-he had just been born.

It would be another week before I could fly to Laos and spend a week with Aon, Jeremy Aaron and Bia who was very excited to have a baby brother. That is another story and one very long journey to be with my family.

And the moment that I held Jeremy Aaron in my arms for the first time, I wondered how such a tiny bundle of life could create so many emotions within me. He literally turned my life around and was not only a bundle of joy or the apple of my eye, but truly a blessing. And every day since then, I have gotten up every morning feeling truly blessed to have Jeremy Aaron in my life.

Copyright © 2009 Jeffrey Alan Miller

This morning, when I called Aon, Jeremy Aaron was already up and as always, Aon lets me talk to him first. Aon had already sung “Happy Birthday” to him and now it was my turn, not once though, but three times. After I sang it to him and started to talk to Aon, I could hear him say “Ma Ma Ma Ma” which can mean any number of things according to Aon-from wanting some milk or to be held. Today though, it meant that he wanted to talk to me again. So, I sang happy birthday again and again, Jeremy Aaron says “Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma” when Aon and I start talking. Aon gives him the phone (putting it on speaker mode) and I serenade him again.

Well, I would like to believe that was what he wanted. And that’s what I am going to stand by.

Happy Birthday Jeremy Aaron!

Copyright © 2009 Jeffrey Alan Miller