From humble, if not precarious, beginnings, Howard Thomas William Wallace, namesake to our patriarch, second son to third son Christopher and Melissa Davey, had his first birthday last week.
The clan gathered Sunday, at stalwart hosts Matt and Lily’s, for an informal brunch and celebration. We are grateful to Lily for her tireless work in making these kinds of events so worthwhile. We all got a chance to marvel at baby Howie’s progress. He’s developed into a real charmer; indeed, it’s as though Mother Nature has provided him with a superb disposition to make up for whatever he might lack physically. Everyone could plainly see that the extraordinary care given to him by Melissa has brought him along nicely. He’s now in the 25th percentile in development and shows keen intellect and awareness. A few months ago, he didn’t even place on the chart.
Over a light meal flavoured with western and middle-eastern influences, the assembled rekindled lives with conversation and laughter. Clan children, including Connor, Eleonaura and Charlotte, made good use of their visit with each other, frenetically dashing about and getting into whatever they could, under the patient and watchful care of their older cousins Mack, Kayla, Jasmine and Allegra. Then we gathered as Lily brought young Howard one of her homemade pumpkin loaves.
It seemed to me that the chorus of voices singing him Happy Birthday were particularly unified. Breaths between words were relaxed and deliberate, surely timed from many years of practice, lingering a bit longer at the end notes, and filling the room with a deep resonance in the light of a single candle.
As if it were a sign of his fearless willingness to embrace the uncertainty that lies ahead, no sooner than the loaf and lit candle had been placed before young Howard, he reached out and snuffed its flame by hand. At least, that’s the way I prefer to think of it. No harm came to him, just a few cries of disappointment, signalling good lungs and a capacity to be soothed.
Thanks to everyone who attended and to those who send their good wishes from afar. A first birthday is an important milestone in any life, no less so for our young hero.
Christopher and Melissa
Recent Comments