Always the First Times

A week ago, I was sitting at a restaurant table waiting for Clem to pick up the lunch we ordered. Having nothing else to do, I was engaged in one of my favorite sports - people-watching. People are ever fascinating to me and I am always learning something new.

A few tables away a young couple sat with their infant of about four or five months. The contented babe was in her car seat (or whatever one calls those all-purpose baby carriers these days), occupying the third seat at the table. What was interesting was the configuration of these three people. The two adults were talking to each other and it was obvious they enjoyed each other's company. Yet, they never once looked at each other, their eyes steadily fixed on the baby.You could have drawn a diagram of the triangle they formed.

And I immediately thought: New and First-time Parents! When the baby began to fuss just a little, Mom immediately picked her up. She awkwardly patted the baby on the back with palm of her hand, then passed her to Dad, who was even more aekard, and then back again to Mom. I thought, wait until this baby realizes how much power she has in this household - and she will learn to use it full-force! The tyranny wrought by a small baby.

First-time parents. Any of us who have been parents will recognize ourselves in this family, although this particular couple "had it in spades." Then lunch and my sweetheart arrived. I let go of my people-watching and turned my attention to our conversation.

Later, I reflected about how second and third children are treated. Just as loved, but without the same rapt attention. My reflection ranged further and I thought about all the first times in our lives. Only second and third children begin life as "seconds and thirds." Being a first child, I sometimes try to imagine what it would have like to have been a second or third.

None of us don't have the option of doing something the second time, without there being a first, whether we are painting a room, going somewhere by plane, hiking in the mountains, or catching our first fish. There has to a first time for everything we do - even second kids really aren't exempt.

I thought of all the firsts in my life. As awkward as I might have been, like the mother patting her new baby on the back, I am thankful for all those first times. In many ways they are the spice added to my life.