Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

As we wheeled Sheila to the operating room, she laid in her bed while the nurses, her mom and I walked alongside. When we entered the room, I was able to continue on while the doors shut behind us, leaving her mom on the outside. I could see in her eyes the hint of worry and anticipation. I wish she could have been there too, but I knew that she knew her baby girl was in good hands.

As the staff prepped Sheila, I was asked to wait in a long hallway. For about 10 minutes, it was just me, an empty chair and a Martha Stewart Living magazine. It was an emotional time. It was nervous anticipation, and I felt like I was waiting in the wings for my next match at a big wrestling tournament. I’m sure many occasions there are several, soon-to-be fathers in that hallway. But on this day it was just me, by myself, waiting to never be alone again.
-- Justin