My oldest grandchild completes his first decade on the planet tomorrow, something that both thrills and amazes me. As our family prepares to celebrate this momentous event, I can’t help but run the highlight reel of how he has made my life better repeatedly through my mind.
The first Gouveia of his generation was born at Falmouth Hospital on the evening of April 3, 2008. He was a bit tardy, but accelerated his arrival at the last moment. I was home in Norton, having just brought my wife home from the hospital after surgery, when we got a text from my son. It was short and to the point, saying simply “Now!”
I looked at my wife, knowing she was not well enough yet to make the hour ride. She simply smiled and said, “Go —if it was me, I would leave you here in a heartbeat.” I kissed her, jumped in the car and headed down 495.
On the way, my phone rang. It was my son. As he started infuriating small talk with me, I heard a baby crying in the background.
“Is that my grandchild?” I asked impatiently. Aaron just laughed. I quickly advised him of just how much danger he was in if he did not answer my question immediately.
At long last he said, “Dad, just hurry up and get here — your grandson is waiting for you.”
At that point I rolled down the window while driving and began screaming at the top of my lungs: “I have a grandson!” I then asked what his name was, but my son merely laughed and said he’d see me when I got there.
The next thing I recall is walking into the hospital room and seeing a bald little person peacefully sleeping. I stared mutely, then walked to the bed to embrace my daughter-in-law. Then I hugged my son and turned toward the new focus of my life.
Aaron picked him up, handed him to me, and said, “Here, hold your grandson.” As I held this miracle in my arms, he added, “By the way — his name is William.” At that point my knees buckled, and I had to sit down before we both fell.
William George Thomas Gouveia (did I mention his name is William?) has been a joy to his family ever since. Though he has been joined in the ranks of grandchildren by two brothers and two adorable female cousins, he will always be our first. The love his grandmother and I feel for him is matched only by our pride in the young man he has become.
Will is smart. He is funny. He is compassionate. He is also a wise-guy of the highest order, definitely inheriting the sarcasm gene from his father and grandfather. He acts like his dad, looks like his mom, and will always hold a special place in my heart. We are fortunate to have been able to be so close to him.
So happy birthday, Will. You cringe when I call you “a decade,” but this is just the start, buddy. Your future is bright. Watch out world — Will is on his way.
Bill Gouveia is a local columnist and longtime local official. He can be emailed at billsinsidelook@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @Billinsidelook.
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