Oh hey, yeah, I'm sorry, that would be Staff Sergeant Baby Boy, now, wouldn't it? My son Reuben turns 35 years old today (March 22) and let me tell you, he's just as gorgeous today as he was the first day, I saw him over 35 years ago - - in a dream. I was privileged and blessed by God to have a very very colorful and vivid dream about my son when I was 3 months pregnant with him. I saw him, and he called me Mom. I knew that second that I was going to have a son, and I would name him Reuben after my sweet daddy. Reuben was born EXACTLY 9 months after he was conceived to the day, and he's still the very same way - - on time, every time, never late. I don't know if he got that from me or not, but we both feel that being early is on time and being on time is late.
Weighing in at six pounds ten ounces, the boy was literally 22" long and, all arms and legs, and he was pushing through the canal leading with his shoulder! The doctor had to turn him around, push him back, and dang if he didn't do the same thing again! My swift-quipping doc leaned over my spread legs and said "You got yourself a linebacker, Mom". He was right! Reuben did grow up to be both a lineman and the captain of the team - - but of course, he did. He's always been a natural leader; could be why he's still in the Armed Forces and why he decided to go enlisted rather than become an officer. He's a troop-man, not a paper pusher. As he says "I work for a living", and I absolutely thank him for that dedication. He's my personal hero and he knows it. They don't make moms prouder than this one! He doesn't understand all the fuss, but he allows it.
Thirty-five years ago, I was as big as a barn of course, and laying on my side that cool and breezy Saturday spring morning when out of NOWHERE I got the first real contraction; but true to his ever-present commanding ways, Reuben did not give me a few warnings before he made his entrance. No, he stepped up and called out his position with the hardest hitting pressure I'd ever felt; more like a sucker punch to the base of my.... well, down there. BAM! BAM! BAM! It was not a gentle knocking, or even a sweet "Hey mom, are you awake? I think I may be coming out now." No, he pushed through like a Drill Sergeant; demanding my attention, and compelling me to fly to the hospital with little to no time for prepping myself, the nursing staff, or the physician. In fact, they had to find a physician because mine was just taking too long to get to the hospital, and Reuben was not taking his time to arrive. He was set to be out at a certain time, and by God, he made it! Welcome to the world, Mr. Reuben Andrew Stringfellow! He was born at 12:34 p.m. March 22, 1986, in Oklahoma City's Baptist Medical Center, and into my heart, taking his permanent residence there forever!
Today Reuben is in the very elite Oklahoma National Guard 45th Infantry. He is a Fire Support Specialist (13F), having first served as a 19K (Stryker driver) in the United States (regular) Army; having deployed overseas several times including a stint in Afghanistan and Iraq. He could see another deployment before he gives up the combat boots, but who knows, he could be a lifer -- he goes back and forth on that one. What does an 13F do? Here is what the Army Job Profile online had to say:
"The Fire Support Specialist, which is a military occupational specialty (MOS) 13F, is primarily responsible for leading, supervising or serving in intelligence activities such as target processing for artillery units and brigade maneuvers."
All I know is this; my son is damn awesome. Just so very cool, and did I mention he's really handsome? He's really really handsome. I would know. Just ask me, and if you don't believe me, ask Gma! She doesn't lie. Nope, she does not lie. Happy Birthday son, and may God keep you, bless you, and protect you always...always, no seriously...ALL WAYS and always. You are my heart.
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