The Duke .....

On November 25th, Wesley Duke Earley was born to Stephen and Brigitt Earley, of Ridgewood, NJ!

The significance of this event is that the child is the first of a new generation.

This little one will forever be the eldest grandchild of Gwenn and Dave Hauck. Right now he is 12 hours old, still curled in the tightest fetal position with knees drawn under his chin.

His hair is damp, his eyes are foggy, his tiny fingers are wrinkled but his body is stronger than a prize-fighter because he survived 15 hours busting out of the womb. Now his lifeline is his parents. He's breathing air instead of amniotic fluid and he needs food and warmth.

The pack of humans who will raise him flock to the hospital. Grandparents, great-grandparents, great aunts, aunts, uncles, cousins and second-cousins want to see the first baby born to the family in 16 years! None of us remember what a miracle newborn babies are!

Mom's look at daughters differently. Fathers make jokes about the baby's prowess. Everyone bonds. The strengths and frailties and seasons of life are never more affirmed than when a baby is born.