It is Christmas day here in Australia (Christmas eve in the US of A) and, as once again, we celebrate the birth of the Christ child two thousand years ago, I find I cannot shut my mind off to a time of great consequence in my life 40 years ago.
Here is my recollection of those times and events that led up to the birth of my only son, Wayne:
Denise, my wife of six years, was in an advanced state of her pregnancy when I took her to our family doctor for her monthly check up.
A few moments after she went in to be examined, the doctor came out and called me into the room. He sat me down and said, “Desmond, Denise, I don"t want to alarm you but I have some news for you that might - just might - surprise you! I cannot be too certain about this - but I think you may have to prepare for the arrival of twins!” Then, sensing that I was getting a bit agitated, he said "It's just too early to tell for sure but I think I heard two heartbeats coming from the womb! Don't get too excited about it just now as we will know for certain one way or another next month!"
Don't get excited? Well, Denise certainly did! She went straight to her seamstress and ordered another two dozen nappies (no disposable diapers back then) in addition to her previous order!
Meanwhile, I was feeling very nervous wondering if the wife and I were really up to taking on the huge task of looking after twins! However, at the next doctor's appointment we were told to expect one baby! Needles to say, my fears were allayed but Denise was rather disappointed She had told me that she had been delighted at the prospect of having twins because she would then be the first person in both our family circles that was going to have that privilege! But with the arrival of our boy on 7th May, two days before the celebration of my 34th birthday, her disappointment evaporated altogether! She was ecstatic!
The third generation firstborn Lockhart with the same first name was christened Edward Desmond Wayne at the Church of St. Paul, Milagiriya, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
