From Cousin Julie, 10/12/2005

Most of my memories of Anthony are from his earlier moments in life.

I remember when he was born.

They closed the Dordt Campus for the weekend

(I can’t remember what they called it…Tri-State Break?), so I went up to Hull to stay with the K’s.

This was either the day Gwen came home from the hospital or sometime real close…

Oh, I was a silly college freshmen then, didn’t think about much outside of my own little world.

I remember sitting in the livingroom and we were all laughing – probably me and Sheri – when I went into the kitchen to get something.

As I walked around the corner, something caught my eye and I almost stopped in my tracks. I felt like I was an intruder. I didn’t want to “mess up” the “moment.” that was happening near the dining room table.

Sunlight was streaming in the windows, and the rays were falling on Gwen and highlighting her hair. Before her the sun glowed in the soft baby fuzziness of Anthony’s head. The two were staring at each other as Gwen held him in her arms and just…looked and looked at him…and he just looked and looked back at her. I don’t know what each one was thinking as they had their unspoken conversation, but I could see they adored each other. Newborns don’t keep their eyes open that long…but he knew who he was looking at…and said his unspoken, “Hi Mom” with his eyes.

I knew I should leave, but it was so beautiful, that I wanted shrink to a fly on the wall and just watch in awe. I grew up a little bit in that moment.

What a beautiful, perfect little baby boy…

I grabbed whatever it was I was after, because I felt like I was witnessing something very special between mother and son that shouldn’t be watched or invaded upon, and I quickly made it back to the other room, trying to make a fast, undetectable escape.

I still think it was one of the most beautiful moments I have witnessed in my life.