In Memory of A Brother I Never Knew
May 8, 1955 was a day that would change my parents lives forever. It was the day that their firstborn son, Charles S. Price, Jr., was to be born. It was Mother's Day that year and should have been a day of celebration. How wonderful to have your first child born on Mother's Day.
The day of celebration was short-lived as my parents found out that their long-awaited son was born with Spina Bifida. Rarely these days do children die from this birth disorder, but it was a much different story in 1955. My parents were stationed with the Army in Washington, D.C. where my father worked for the Secret Service at the Pentagon. Two very young adults far away from home and family, married only a few months over a year, faced with what every expectant parent fears--a gravely sick child with little hope for survival.
In a painful coincidence, June 20 of the same year--Father's Day--Chuck passed away.
It has been 51 years since that day and obviously he is the brother I never knew, but he is still my brother and it is his day. In many ways, he is the most blessed of us all: born into this world and then ushered straight into the arms of Jesus.
It has been a painful 51 years for my parents following an event that re-shaped their lives, but the grace of God has carried them through three more births and 52 wonderful years of marriage.
The day of celebration was short-lived as my parents found out that their long-awaited son was born with Spina Bifida. Rarely these days do children die from this birth disorder, but it was a much different story in 1955. My parents were stationed with the Army in Washington, D.C. where my father worked for the Secret Service at the Pentagon. Two very young adults far away from home and family, married only a few months over a year, faced with what every expectant parent fears--a gravely sick child with little hope for survival.
In a painful coincidence, June 20 of the same year--Father's Day--Chuck passed away.
It has been 51 years since that day and obviously he is the brother I never knew, but he is still my brother and it is his day. In many ways, he is the most blessed of us all: born into this world and then ushered straight into the arms of Jesus.
It has been a painful 51 years for my parents following an event that re-shaped their lives, but the grace of God has carried them through three more births and 52 wonderful years of marriage.
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 5/08/2006 05:30:00 PM
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2 Comments:
Thanks for sharing, David. Just think of the reunion that's awaiting your parents and Chuck. And think of what it will be like for you finally to meet your brother.
I have thought of this same child for many, many years, as he is the brother I also never knew since I am Randy Price, the third child born to these same parents. After visiting his grave site a couple of times and thinking about him many times over the years, my eyes fill with the same tears that would fall as if I had known him for the 47 years of my life. There is still a special bond with him that I can't explain. I, anxious to meet him one day.
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