Early this past Wednesday morning our most precious Christmas gift was delivered, all wrapped and perfect in every way.
I’ll let him give his own announcement.
Ryker! A name meaning “strong one” and also “rich.” We pray that he will always be strong in the Lord and full of the rich blessings of God in his life.
Mommy and Ryker are both doing well. They all came home from the hospital yesterday. Our travel plans are still uncertain, but it goes without saying that we are very ready to meet and to hold our little grandson.
And now for Uncle Aaron.
Aaron knew that Andrea was in the hospital. He knew when he went to bed on Tuesday night that the baby had still not arrived. And he was not wanting to hear constant talk of the progress toward his nephew’s birth.
On Wednesday morning, I gave Aaron some time before I told him that his nephew was here. Finally, I showed him this picture taken shortly after Ryker was born.
Aaron leaned toward the phone as I carefully watched his face. He stared at the picture and then his face softened. He had a little slight smile that flickered as he took in this first sight of his nephew. Then he spoke.
“Ugly,” Aaron said.
Of course, I reprimanded Aaron gently and reminded him that this is his nephew. His name is Ryker, I told Aaron, and he is a beautiful little baby.
Some would be shocked and offended by Aaron’s comment. But Aaron was just using the only word he could summon to show that he is needing to adjust to this huge change in his life. A change that he did not ask for and that he would rather not deal with.
Aaron knows that this little baby will change everything in his world. We all know that change is not welcome in Aaron’s set world. No matter that this is a precious baby that is bringing the change. To Aaron, it’s the change that is making him nervous and whatever is bringing that change is what Aaron will focus on and hope to ignore.
Like our friend Barb said, “Aaron’s world has changed even with his competition so far away.”
As that first morning continued, we tried to keep baby talk in front of Aaron at a minimum.
“I don’t want to talk about the nephew,” he said.
At least Aaron was communicating his feelings, right?
Finally, Aaron referred to “the nephew” as Ryker. Yay!!!
That night, as we prayed before bed, I thanked God for our little Ryker.
“So, I need to love Ryker?” Aaron asked after we prayed.
I knew that Aaron, in his factual way, was working out his feelings and his responsibilities toward this little family interloper…this change agent. 😊
Imagine my shocked delight yesterday, then, as Aaron and I visited two different friends. This is what happened at each house.
“The baby came! Mom, show them the picture of Ryker! I LOVE Ryker!!”
I had a hard time pulling up the pictures because I was trying to lift my jaw off the floor.
It was so spontaneous and sweet.
Aaron continued his excited recitation about Ryker, which also included some of his concerns about being The Uncle.
But this is what Aaron needs to do. He works out his discomfort and concerns with lots of talking, with many questions that we hear over and over, and repetitions of the same answers that he hears from every person who is willing to listen to him and respond.
Free therapy!
Thank you all for that!! 😊
And we thank you so much for all of your prayers, both for Ryker and his birth, and for Aaron and his adjustment.
We’re far from done with that Aaron part.
But we are very thankful for our precious Christmas gift.
He Said What?! 