I had put off this meeting for a couple of days, but FINALLY ended up taking the long, intimidating flight of stairs that led to the Human Resources office at my place of employment. Siting there in that office with sweaty palms, fidgety feet, and a dry crackling voice, some on-line paperwork was being processed. Name, address, phone #, name and phone # of emergency contact? But before that final click of the mouse, I was asked this final question, “Are you REALLY sure you want to go through with it”?

The last time I was asked that exact same question was 16 years ago, when I was 40 years old. Here I was, lying on a hospital stretcher awaiting day surgery. You see, my wife’s “dream family” was 4 children, and back in 1998. once that quiver was full, I felt it my responsibility of making “the appointment”, and have “the procedure”. In medical terms, to have a vasectomy. After all, Lynne bore the brunt of it all, with 4 pregnancies and the pain of each childbirth.

As I lay there that day, sweaty palms, fidgety feet, and dry, crackling voice, and covered only by a thin hospital sheet, the surgeon arrived, lifted the sheet and did a pre operation examination. He looked up, and staring directly into my eyes adamantly declared, “There is absolutely NO way you could have ever fathered any children! Are you REALLY sure you want to go through with it? If I were you, I would seriously look into who fathered all those children!!”

Those words emasculated me to the core, but finally after catching my breath, I knew that none of those words could EVER be true. For those that know my wife, it really is a “no brainer”, you could never find a more faithful and committed person anywhere. I have always trusted Lynne, and I always will.

The doctor did apologize for being so abrupt, and while performing the surgery, went on to explain that I had a medical condition that would prevent me from fathering children. As a urologist, he had on an ongoing basis, desperate men wanting to be a father, but could not. My case was worse than any patients that he has ever had.

In my situation, if “medically”, I could not father children, the only other explanation is that a GENUINE miracle took place….FOUR TIMES OVER!!! I love my family so much, and I could never imagine my world without them.

Sixteen years later, back in the Human Resources office, I was asked the same question, “Are you REALLY sure you want to go through with it”? Was I transferring to “Timbucktoo, was I donating one of my kidneys to a co-worker? No, I was registering for a FULL MARATHON (42.2 kilometers) this October at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Stephanie, the nice Human resources lady was kindly helping me with the on-line registration and credit card transaction. And before the final click of the mouse, she asked the question, “Are you REALLY sure you want to go through with it”? “You bet, let us do it!!” 🙂

Please join me, in what will be a wild and crazy 12 weeks of training leading up to marathon day. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!! 🙂

Sincerely,

The Old Fellow

Image via salterpilon.