Chapter 17 - Noel Baby

     We were just starting to unwrap our presents when the phone rang. “Lisa’s water broke and her contractions are five minutes apart,” he said. “We’d feel better if we were in the birth room because we live so far out, what with the weather and all. Sure sorry to ruin your Christmas. Say…why don’t you bring your husband and daughter along. We wouldn’t mind at all. We could bring enough food from my deli for all of us.”

     Tony was a big bear of a man—a gregarious Italian, originally from San Francisco, and while I didn’t doubt his sincerity, I did not believe for one second that Lisa would appreciate having my family in attendance at her birth! I chuckled. “Go to the hospital and get yourself settled. I will join you soon.” I replied. “Maybe after the baby is born they can stop in.”

      I kissed my family goodbye and stepped outside. It was silent and still—the kiss of gently falling snow caressed my windshield. My car left virgin tracks as I slowly drove down the winding, mountain road. Christmas lights twinkled in houses tucked back into the trees. It felt like a magical morning. It had been a few years since I had had a Christmas birth.

     I walked quietly into the room. He was hovering over his wife who clearly did not want to be hovered over. “ Tony, PLEASE…I’m fine. Really, I’m fine. I don’t need a cold washcloth on my head…No, I’m not thirsty…Yes, I know you love me. I love you too, but could you maybe just go and sit on the couch for a while?”

     Sitting on the couch was a big problem for Tony… He’s a hands-on guy who cares about people. He hovers over the customers at his deli and he hovered over his wife throughout her entire pregnancy. It wasn’t possible for him to NOT hover. It’s what he does.

     “Tony, for God’s sake. I can’t talk to you right now…”

     “Yes, yes, sorry my love. I’ll just go sit on the couch a little bit, and then I’ll be right back. Are you sure there’s not something I can do?”

     “NO!”  “Sorry, sorry…”

     It went like this for hours. Up—down—up—down.

     When it came time for her to push, I had an idea. “Tony, go wash your hands and come here. Would you like to deliver your baby?” Oh my God, he was needed! He was back from the sink in seconds.

     With simple guidance, and his unwavering focus, his son slipped into his hands, as he wept, overcome with joy.

     Some time later there was a soft knock on the door. My husband and daughter tiptoed in. “Can we see the baby?” I looked around. Tony and the baby had disappeared.

     Puzzled, I went outside in the hallway and looked…nothing. I walked up and down the corridors. They weren’t anywhere to be seen. Hmm…I wandered over to the convalescent wing.

     There he was, grinning, coming out of a patient’s room. “They think it’s the Christ Child come to see them on Christmas!” he exclaimed. I stood by and watched as he placed his wrapped-up son into the arms of every single elderly patient on that ward and wished them Merry Christmas. It was his gift to the elders. He let them kiss and cuddle his son, and when they were all done, he returned to the room to break out the wine and food in celebration.

     I doubt they’d let a newborn child come into a convalescent ward these days, but back then, it seemed the right and natural thing to do on that magical Christmas afternoon.