Good morning GH.  The view out the Weather Window is gray skies and the temperature on the desktop is 58 degrees.  While for some, that might be a bit cool. I think that when we compare it to those hot and humid days of August, this is a vast improvement.  I think Sugar the Weather Dog would agree, and just as soon as she gets up, I'll ask her.  But, enough about the usual things. I have decided to wax nostalgic and perhaps get a little maudlin, because today is Adam's birthday. So forgive me if I reminisce a bit.  Just sit back, and I hope, enjoy the ride.

It all started on a day in September of 1974.  Mary was about two weeks overdue and she was getting pretty uncomfortable.  But, this day, she woke me to say that, "It was time!"  In an all too typical male response, due in part to lack of sleep, I think, I said "Time for what?"  I am thankful she didn't kick me.  It was time for us to travel from our new apartment in Wheeling, IL, to the hospital in Park Ridge, IL.  At the early hour we left, not much traffic, so sorry Adam, your birthday car ride wasn't too eventful.  In those days, men were not routinely part of the birthing process as they are now.  Plus, when the doctor decided it was time for a c-section, I was definitely out.  We had done all of the Lamaze classes and I was ready, but the c-section was beyond my capabilities and was also off limits.  I do remember that Mary was first checked by a resident and then when he hurt her, I think she punched him, or at least she tried to.  After that, her regular doctor came in, told us what to expect, and that was the end of my involvement.  I was told to go wait with the other fathers.  It wasn't long before a Lutheran minister came in and said, "Mr. Wendt?"  Let me just say, that when your wife goes off to the delivery room and the first person you see in the father's waiting room is someone dressed in a clerical collar,  your heart sinks to your feet. Fortunately, his next words were, "Your wife and son are fine, congratulations."  I wish they had found someone else to inform me, but that was the way they did it.  Maybe it was always that way, I don't know.  I had a brief visit with Mary in her drug induced haze, saw Adam very briefly and the rest is kind of hazy.  I do remember calling my parents, but after that, I don't remember much. The weeks and months went by, Adam had his first drag race in my SS Camaro through the streets of Glenview, IL, and then we had a pretty typical childhood.  Adam and I had some quality time in our old den in Deerfield, IL, listening to rock and roll and watching the color organ I had built. When I told Mary that Adam was getting up every night, she said, "Well, what do you expect, music, a color organ, a rocking chair and his father?"  Yeah, I didn't think that through, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.  Otherwise, the usual things happened.  Adam had his bumps and scrapes, a few of his many cars, some of them of the R/C variety, and then it was time for college.  I think I was more upset when we dropped him off at the university, and I guess that was unexpected, but that is part of life.  Your children grow up, become adults, and then full fledged members of society.  Today, Adam is a responsible member of the community, shares many of the things that his mother taught him over the years about what it takes to be a good man, which by the way, he is, and today he lives in Chicago, with his wife Stephany and makes million dollar decisions.  So, before I tear up anymore, I'll just say that it is...Tea time.  Happy Birthday Adam.