An Unexpected Christmas Gift

It was a Tuesday night and I sat down to watch one of my favorite television programs at the time, M.A.S.H. My wife was in the kitchen making Christmas cookies getting ready for the holiday. She was in the final weeks of her pregnancy and we were anticipating a new arrival after the New Year. It had been cold and I was working in construction at the time, so work was very slow.
I enjoyed relaxing at night in a warm room after working in the cold all day.
Shortly after nine, I heard my wife say oh, no. I rushed into the kitchen to find that her water broke. We both were excited and nervous, because we knew what was happening. We called the doctor and he asked if she was in any pain, she had none. We were told to wait until she had contractions before going to the hospital. In the meantime, we were to take it easy and arrive at the hospital at eight in the morning, if she didn't have any contractions. We proceeded to get the suitcase ready for the trip, and decided to go to bed for the night. I never slept, every few minutes my wife thought she was having contractions and I would have to time them. We had no clue what we were doing, it was like being in a comedy, only we were the stars. She never seemed to be in much pain, so we waited till morning came and off to the hospital we went.
It took almost seven hours of inducing labor but around four o' clock in the afternoon, we had the most beautiful little girl. I couldn't believe my eyes, she was so small, with the darkest hair. When I saw her I was in awe. I knew from that moment she would be the most precious gift I could ever have received.
What is it about a baby girl? She makes a father feel like a king. He walks the hospital floor strutting like a peacock. His daughter is the most beautiful in the nursery.
December 22, 1976. the day my daughter was born. I remember thinking how rich a man I was. I had a beautiful wife, who loved me, and now I had a daughter whom I would give love and receive love. It seemed like just yesterday she was born, but can it be thirty four years. Where did the time go. She has gone from a baby girl to a little girl, from an awkward teen, to a young lady, from a lady to a mature woman. All these stages, and with each stage a proud father standing there and admiring. Sometimes, I wonder if she knows the joy
she has brought in my life. How proud I am of all her accomplishments. She truly has made me feel rich beyond my imagination. She is one of my greatest achievements in life. I am proud to be known as her Dad.