The Silver Ring

CHRISTMAS

It was in the afternoon of Christmas Day. As I remember about 3pm our time. Monika, said "Mads" (you notice my name has become more casual-Mads is a Nordic version of Matthew) you should really call home. It is Christmas Day. 

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against my family. They can get a bit excitable. Especially my Mom. How will she take to the fact that her oldest son, is now a husband and soon to be a father. I know parents always think of their children, even adult children, as a child. This was a joyous occasion. it was Christmas, I had a wonderful wife, I was going to be a dad. Yes, I needed to share.

I dialed our number back in Verdun. My Dad answered. "Merry Christmas, Dad" "Matt. Merry Christmas". Let me put you on speaker phone so that everyone can hear. I heard call calling the who family together. Each one chirped in "Merry Christmas" I greeted each of them individually.

"What's new?" Mom asked.  "There's a lot new Mom. I sort have a present for you and Dad. "A present?" "Yeah, Mom, a present". "What is it?, she continued. "Mom", I said, you are going to be a grandmother!" "A GRANDMOTHER!!" Most likely, I did not need the phone to hear. I am sure she could be heard across the Atlantic. It wasn't a shout of joy, but one of anger and agony.

"How could you get a girl pregnant!!" "It's easy my brother butted in. This set Mom off even more. Now it was Dad's turn to get scolded. "I told you, he should not be left by himself in Europe. You know how they are, wine, women and song. A one night stand every night. I am sure you have been active all over Europe. How many grandchildren are there?  My sister said I was a pig, My brother kept saying, Matt, your the man. Got a girl pregnant. You are A MAN.

At this point I had enough. Christmas or no Christmas. "Look everybody, calm down." I started with my brother, "look shrimp face, a boy can make a baby, but it takes a man, a real man to be a husband and father. My mother chimed in, but a baby Matt, do you know...My Dad cut her off. Listen to what the man has to say. This is the first time my father ever called me a man. Usually, I was referred to as a boy, but never a man. There was an equality that I had never heard before. On the other end of the pond, Dad was taking charge. 

Go ahead, Matt. "O.K. everybody. I am going to be a Dad. My I am also a husband. I married Monika when we got out of school. Married?? My mother said, how could you get married? I came across being a bit sarcastic, "it wasn't  hard Mom. I found a girl, we said are vows, and here we are. "But you did not ask me for permission!". No Mom, I didn't. I am an adult, I did not need anyone's permission. The only permission I needed was from my wife, who said yes, when i asked her to marry me.

Sometimes Mom would think/talk out loud . You are too young Matt. Maybe, we can have the marriage annulled. Certainly we would be responsible with you for the baby. 

MOM, now you could probably  hear me across the Atlantic. I am young, yes. I have a college degree, no student debt. I have a job that I like, and I get a decent salary. I  have the most wonderful wife in the world, and she is going to give me a son.

A son, my Mom said. You know the baby's sex. Yes, Mom, we do. Have you decided on a name? Now I was thinking your great uncle Harry would love to have a boy named after him. He might even remember your son in his will. He isn't getting any younger. Mom, Monika and I have decided to name the baby Curt. Curt, she said, isn't that the name of the soldier, you helped to identify. Yes, Mom, the same one He would be Monika, my wife's relative. But don't you think you should give it more thought. I was more firm than I had ever been with my mother. Mom, Monika and I have decided and it is going to be Curt. 

My sister, seemingly with admiration in her voice, since Mom normally was not silenced, congratulations Matt. I wish you all the best, and I would like to meet my sister-in-law. Thanks, I said. I know she would like to meet you too.

Mom seemingly having recovered and gotten used to the idea said, "When is the baby due"?  At the end of February, mom. Are you coming home? No Mom, not for awhile. Monika and I get time off with family leave, but we need to adjust too with having a baby. I have an idea, why don't all of you come over at Easter. We will wait the baptism until you all can get here. 

You can meet Monika, and her family. I am sure you will like them. My brother asked if Monika had any sisters. I told him to take a cold shower. 

My Dad said, Matt, I am proud of you. You will make a great Dad, and I am sure you will make a great husband. We will come over at Easter. I am really looking forward to it.

My Mother asked if she could speak to Monika. Monika had given me some privacy for this phone call. I went into the other room, and told her my family wanted to speak to her. She smiled, and went to the phone. I too put the phone on speaker, I introduced Monika to the whole crew.

Mom asked if there was anything Monika or the baby needed. Monika assured her everything was  under control, but thanked for her concern. 

It wasn't an act, Monika was a up front person. "We really did not need anything". Monika continued," the only thing we need is to have Mads, I  mean Matthew's family come to share out joy."

Mom was now won over. Matthew, she said, very commandingly. Yes, Mom, I want you to take care of that girl, I mean your wife. Do you realize the responsibility that you have.Yes, Mom I do. A the baby, yes Mom, I know I have responsibility for the baby.

My sister welcomed Monika to the family, and promised to tell her all the juicy secrets and skeletons in the family closet. Monika just laughed. My brother, really tried to be human, and offered her a welcome to the family. Dad, likewise, greeted Monika very tenderly and lovingly. Once again he said, Son, I am proud of the man you have become. Hopefully, in Berlin we can have a few beers together. You know, son, man to man. I appreciate it Dad, and I look forward to it. 

The call took about a half hour. I was glad that it was made It really added to the spirit of Christmas in my heart.

Before hanging up, I said, " Mom","Yes, dear" she replied."Thank you,"I said. "Thank me for what?" "for making me go to the Lempke's. I would never had been where I am without the silver ring. I thought perhaps I had said too much. If I did, Mom let it pass by.

Matt, yes Mom. I love you. I love you too Mom. Merry Christmas.

The story is complete.