“Welcome to my evening, the closing of the day. You know, I could try a million times, never find a better way, to tell you that I love you and all the songs I played are to thank you for allowing me in the lovely day you made“
Lyrics from the John Denver song “Farewell Andromeda” (1973)
One of the greatest days of my life was December 19, 1985 as my daughter Tarah came into this world. Looking back, I am more grateful than ever because Mom and I weren’t sure if we were ever going to be able to have children but God gifted us with three beautiful children.
I remember how excited Mom and I both were to learn that she was pregnant after our visit to Dr. Hochberg earlier in the year. Back then, we were living in a small Cape Cod house in Wyckoff, NJ and once we knew we were going to have a baby, like many young couples, we went through all the baby name books and quickly centered on the name “Tarah Jean” if it would be a girl and “Todd Patrick” if it were a boy. We decided from the start that we did not wish to know the sex of the baby before the actual birth date. Both our families were so excited for us as Grandma Claire and Poppy as well as Bernie and Marie at that time only had one grandchild each. We worked hard through that summer and fall getting things ready in the house for Tarah’s arrival, especially Tarah’s bedroom which I painted and wallpapered.
Tarah’s original due date was December 15th and so we were anxious when that day came and went with no birth of the baby. Then on the night of December 18th, I made Mom and I are our favorite meal back then — spaghetti and meatballs what else — and set up a dining table in front of the living room fireplace as we tried to imagine how our lives were about to change. Around 4am on the 19th, Mom felt as if the moment was about to arrive and so we made a mad dash in our Jeep Cherokee for what was about a 15 minute ride to Valley Hospital in Ridgewood. I must have gone through 3-4 traffic lights because I was so scared but we finally made it to the Emergency Room and we felt relieved once they told us that Mom and the baby were ok.
The nurse then turned to me and said “Jack, its probably going to be several hours before Jean will give birth so you can go home and I’ll call you if things change”. We had our first dog Dirke back at the house who needed to be fed and walked so I went home to do that and thank God when I came back from our walk I saw the red blinking light on the phone recording machine with a clear and resounding message “Jack hurry up, Jean is in labor”. So, I jumped back in the Cherokee and raced back to the hospital.
It was probably only about 15-20 minutes after my arrival that Tarah was born, a moment a parent never forgets and treasures for the rest of their life. I can still remember like it was yesterday holding Tarah in my arms for the first time and knowing that our prayers to have a baby had been answered. Now 40 years later, so many treasured memories and experiences with our precious Tarah.
Happy birthday Tarah and I hope you know how much we all love you and miss you, Dad
