Unless you work in obstetrics, most of us can recall each time we witnessed a baby being born. I had four C-sections, all under general anesthesia, and didn't get to watch even the birth of my own children. But my daughter-in-law Destiny invited me and her mother to watch the arrival of her first two sons. Her thirdborn, Calvin, was born at a women's hospital, and we were allowed to have a party in her room, with many family members in attendance, which she loved. In fact, minutes before Destiny began pushing, we lit candles on a cake and sang "Happy Birthday" to Emmett, her oldest son. Truly it was a celebration (and I learned how much of an extrovert she was that day, as she wanted all ten of us in the room to count with her as she pushed)! Later, when my daughter Megan had her daughter Everly, I was able to attend the birth. Some births feel hushed, others are like fireworks, but all are holy.
My husband and I eat at a restaurant in the mountains each Sunday after church. Blondies Grill and Bar is a favorite of locals in the mountains where we spend weekends in our cabin. One Sunday, while the restaurant was more quiet and empty, we sat down and noticed some excitement in the kitchen. Randy, the owner, told us they were about to sample what would hopefully become a new menu item, a six-cheese hamburger! The waitresses were trying to come up with what to name the new offering, and one waitress yelled out, "Say Cheese!" She was excited about the name she created, and we all agreed it was perfect.
Randy, who owns Blondies with his (blonde) wife, Robyn, came to our table to greet us. Having recovered from a hard season of illness, dressed in his white chef's coat, healthier and less rotund than he used to be, he had an extra energy about him. He launched into telling us about his new idea. "I get creative when I sober up!" he said. We didn't know how long he had been un-sober and didn't ask. We were just sharing the joy he expressed over finally having a new idea. Then he shared other ideas he was exploring, and we listened with sincere interest. "You guys should come in more often," he said. "You get my creativity going!"
Then he offered us a portion of the very first ever six-cheese hamburger. We tasted it and gave it a definite thumbs up! He interviewed us about the burger as though we were professional foodies.
It seems silly, but now, when see the Six Cheese Burger printed on the menu, my husband and I feel proud, because we saw the idea be born. We were in the delivery room, witnessing its birth, watching it receive its name, welcoming it to the world.
