Kellen John Birkey
Kellen John Birkey was born in the early afternoon of November 17, 2010 to my oldest son Taylor and daughter-in-law Laura. He is their first child to go full-term through the birthing process and he is also our first grandchild. Kellen is also the first great-grandchild of my Mother, Donna Birkey. As far as I know, he is the first person in my family to bear the Gaelic name, “Kellen” which means “slender.” He makes my other three children aunts and uncles for the first time in their lives.
That’s a lot of “firsts.”
Life is made up of lots of “firsts” and this little one will be cherished as one. His arrival signifies many changes that will be happening more and more in our family. More “children” through marriages. More grandchildren from those marriages. More laughter, crying, general noise and activity again in our homes and at family gatherings.
This is the “first” time I am a grandfather, but I don’t really know yet experientially how to be that or what it will look like. First things first… Kellen must grow slowly day by day, and so must I. We must become grandson and grandfather over time and each learn from the other what it means. No doubt he will teach me many things. I look forward to the learning.
I welcome little Kellen the First into our family and look with anticipation toward building a strong grandfather/grandson relationship. I am truly a very rich man to be so blessed.
