My Take Tuesday: Kaycee

 

On June 6, 2005, my life changed forever. On that day, I became a father. This unforgettable day was filled with both joy and fear. My daughter, Kaycee, was born in the early morning hours. Soon after her arrival, doctors determined that she had a bacterial infection and subsequent septicemia. She was immediately rushed off to the NICU. This was a very scary time for her parents. You feel so helpless. We trusted in the doctors and the highly skilled nurses. After several hours, I was allowed to visit her in the NICU. 

 

When I first held her, I was filled with overwhelming feelings of joy, love, and fear. I was so elated to finally have my daughter in my arms. Seeing her tiny and fragile body was both miraculous and heartbreaking. She had monitors, bandage tape, IVs and wires all over. As I held her tiny fragile body and looked at her face, I fell absolutely in love.  Realizing how precious and fragile life was, I vowed to be the best father I could be.

 

Every subsequent night for the next few years, I would sing a Chris LeDoux song to Kaycee as she fell asleep. The song is called Daily Bread. 

 

The lyrics say:

“Lord I ain’t been a prayin man

I figure the whole worlds in your hands

Ask and you shall receive you say

So give me her love my daily bread

 

You can take everything I own

Every single seed I’ve sown

Still I know I come out ahead

If I have her love my Daily Bread

 

She is a raindrop in a drought.

She’s my faith when I’m in doubt

Like a river needs a riverbed

I need her love my daily bread

 

I don’t know why she’s chosen me

I live my life so selfishly

But I know until my dying breath

I’ll need her love my daily bread

And I know that I’m not worthy

But give me her love my daily bread”

 

Kaycee has grown up to be a smart, beautiful, and driven young woman. She is resilient and determined. Despite having faced more obstacles than most her age, her spirit and positive attitude continue to amaze me.

 

Kaycee began her missionary service this week. She will be serving in Oklahoma for the next 18 months. While I will miss her terribly, I am so proud of her and her desire to help others.

 

Seeing your kids grow up is a dichotomy of sorts.You are proud when they walk, scared when they run, and feel helpless when they have to go through difficult situations. Opening the gate and turning them lose into this crazy world brings happiness and profound sadness at the same time. I really do not know how else to describe the feelings I am experiencing.

 

Kaycee, I am so proud of you and of all of your accomplishments. You have so much to offer this world, and I am so honored to be your father. I love you!

 

And that is my take!

N. Isaac Bott, DVM