July 29, 2001, it was a beautiful, bright summer day. I remember it like it was yesterday. It
was a cool 80 degrees; a light breeze was blowing as I sat on the back porch reading an
Aviation magazine. In the background, I heard a light voice coming form inside the house.
It was my wife, yelling, “It’s time!” The butterflies hit me hard, we where having a baby, a
beautiful baby girl. We drove 30 minutes to the hospital, which is normally an hour drive
to Austin. I guess you could say I was a little nervous, due to my life about to drastically
change, a special gift that would truly save my life.
At 12:01 pm, Meadow Nicole Morrison entered this world at a perfect 8 pounds, 9 ounces.
She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen I my life. So small, pink and looking
brittle to the touch, I was scared to hold her. Her loud, high-pitched crying was music to
my ears. I remember hearing babies crying in shopping centers, restaurants and other
places that always annoyed me. Not this little voice though, it was like classical music
throughout the room. I was a Dad, a first time father and more nervous than I had ever
been in my life. Yet, I felt at total peace after holding her for a few minutes for the first
time. Cradling her ever so gently, wrapping my arms around her and protecting her like a
Papa bear with his new cub. Little did I know about the
