“Boy, don't you worry, you'll find yourself Follow your heart and nothing else And you can do this if you try All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied”
I tell people all the time that after my first pregnancy and delivery it’s a miracle Connor is even here; nothing was easy that time around for sure. Connor, well that was a completely different story. The most difficult thing about that pregnancy was already having a baby to take care of. The two pregnancies could not have been more different and because of that I was convinced that this time it would be a girl. Which is part of the reason I wanted to find out what we were having this time. Of course, all anyone really wants is a healthy happy baby but if we are honest with ourselves, we usually have a preference on gender as well and I wanted another boy. So did Larry.
Connor was three weeks early because I started bleeding one morning and when we went to the hospital, it was decided it was better to induce labor than take any chances. Things were currently fine with me and the baby so why risk it. And how did they know things were fine with the baby? Well because they did an ultrasound and wouldn’t you know it this time Connor decided to let us see what we were having. I’m guessing it was because we were gonna find out soon anyway since he was born about 12 hours later. In the end I think it was better this way. Since we only knew a few hours before we just kept it to ourselves. So, when Larry’s dad found out we had another boy he was over the moon. Larry and his dad were both only sons with two sisters and Larry’s dad loved referring to the boys as The Barnes Boys.
Connor has been stubbornly independent since birth, or technically before birth based on ultrasound incidents. He had no problem doing things for himself and telling you he could do things himself. Which as a mother was a double-edged sword. I mean I wanted him to be independent just not so soon. Connor and I are also very alike in our personalities, whether or not he sees it or wants to admit to it, it is true. These two things meant that we have not always had an easy relationship. Moving to Kansas while he stayed in Ohio was probably good for both of us, time and distance can bring clarity to a situation and because of that I feel like we are at a place where he might be willing to listen to advice from me. I also feel like I am at a place where my advice might be worth listening to. I chose Simple Man because to me there is no better advice and because all I do want for my youngest son is to be satisfied. Satisfied in life, in love and with family.
Mama told me when I was young "Come sit beside me, my onlyyoungest son And listen closely to what I say And if you do this it'll help you Some sunny day Oh, yeah
Oh, take your time, don't live too fast Troubles will come and they will pass You'll find a woman and you'll find love And don't forget son there is someone up above
And be a simple kind of man Oh, be something you love and understand Baby, be a simple kind of man Oh, won't you do this for me son, if you can?
Forget your lust for the rich man's gold All that you need is in your soul And you can do this if you try All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied
And be a simple, kind of man Oh, be something you love and understand Baby, be a simple kind of man Oh, won't you do this for me son, if you can? Oh, yes, I will
Boy, don't you worry, you'll find yourself Follow your heart and nothing else And you can do this oh babe if you try All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied
And be a simple kind of man Oh, be something you love and understand Baby, be a simple kind of man Oh, won't you do this for me son, if you can?
Baby, be a simple, be a simple man Oh, be something you love and understand Baby, be a simple kind of man
P.S. Portions of this writeup were pre-recorded because I am live in Ohio with Connor on his birthday!!!!!
Larry’s Perspective:
I guess I can let the cat out of the bag at this point. The rumors are true, Shannon has been in Ohio for a few days now and will be for the next week. She did her write-ups before leaving as best she could - but I am so happy she is getting some time with Connor, especially over his birthday.
This trip was somewhat last minute as there are always a lot of factors at play - her health, my work schedule, a 115lb Akita named Kenji, the three hour drive to the closest airport (DIA).
At the end of the day, one parent is better than no parents and she needed this break from her norm.
I've always loved this song - it's as simple yet powerful as they come. I'll also admit I had my own perceptions of Lynyrd Skynyrd until I watched a documentary about them. My perceptions were way off and I walked away with a totally newfound respect for them as humans.
I've been keeping in touch and Shannon is having a fantastic time with Connor and Kristen. I literally cried myself to sleep last night because I know they had Buca di Beppo for his birthday dinner...and I didn't...
Ghost of a Chance 