As a husband it is my duty to honor, love and protect the woman I love. For the past 6 years I feel that I have fulfilled these duties to the best of my ability, and yet nothing prepared me for the adventure that is a labor and delivery room. What began with a pizza/beer in Albania, has brought the dynamic leader, Amy Shatsoff and I to the point in which we are now blessed with the opportunity to bestow greatness.
The saying goes that only "Spartan women give birth to real men." Even though I've used this line on many occasions I never had the pleasure of witnessing it's truth until June 10, 2014 @1205 pm. The Queen of my heart, naturally, delivered a Man with mind boggling grace and discipline. The exam below, given by his father, verified his legendary status, and the "nightMAHER" nickname was immediately passed onto the next generation. What happened next was the most spiritual moment of my life.
When naming a child in a Jewish home it is tradition that the Man/Woman be named after a deceased relative so that the memories and stories can remain alive. When picking out a name for this fella, it seemed fitting that he take on the name of a Man who touched the heart of everyone he hugged. The Mother of this miracle proclaimed that we shall call him Walter Eli Maher, and almost immediately the bond among Men was sealed.
My Grandpa was not only the rock of the Maher flag, but he was the one who taught the rest of us what it meant to be a man. Now this sweet baby of ours has the honor of walking in the shoes of someone who walked a very long way. Young Walter is now tasked with the incredible honor of carrying on both the Maher and Shatsoff traditions, and gracing this earth with a smile that shall dazzle women for many years to come!!
Amy Elysia Shatsoff was the house that built our son, and it was one heck of a fortress. She took on a task that has become so commercialized and she did it in her own way and with her Man by her side. We stared at each other, held hands and shared laughs as our little miracle made his way into this world. The pain may have been great, but the reward was greater. My Grandpa always told me that a marriage couldn't survive on love alone, but it could thrive on respect. My wife has always had my respect, but her house built us a child and both have humbled me even more.
As I sit here at 2am and the boy is wide awake listening to a little Miranda Lambert, I can't help but think about my responsibility as a father. For too long I've watched America slip further and further into an age in which children own their parents and parents do those children a great disservice by allowing it. It is my goal to provide this boy with the courage and discipline needed to be successful in a diverse environment. I believe this begins and ends with one word...Adaptation.
I shall end this installment by thanking all of you for your gifts, love and support of Amy and I through everything! We look forward to sharing the beauty of the Brit Milah and my conversion with many of you next week :)!!
I shall leave you with this thought...I feel it is imperative that we start raising Men who understand and appreciate women again. Chivalry is only dead, because parents and modern men and women have allowed it to die. It is not politically incorrect to address a woman as "darlin," or give a hug and kiss on the cheek when greeting. These are the actions that spread love among the sexes and create a community among the masses.
Keep smiling!!!
"Walter E. Maher started it all."
.JPG)