Boy #5

When I was pregnant with my 4th boy, I had an interesting experience. I was at Kmart filling a prescription with my three younger boys in tow. When the pharmicist noticed I had 3 boys, she asked me if I knew what my 4th baby was going to be. This, of course, was a very common question among strangers and I replied, "It's another boy."

Her face lit up and she said to me....."How lucky you are! 4 boys is a wonderful thing. It is considered to bring you GOOD LUCK." (She was asian, by the way).

That wasn't the response I was used to, of course. Usually people would get wide-eyed and shocked when I told them I would soon have 4 boys. And I would find myself waiting for it....the inevitable comment and look of sorrow for me. And to be honest, it WAS hard on me that I was going to have another boy. I DID want a girl (only one, mind you), but one nonetheless. But this day, this pharmacist made me happy and for a brief moment, I did feel lucky for the opportunity of getting to raise 4 boys. I forgot in that moment how badly I had wanted a girl and she made me realize how grateful I should be and how lucky I really was.

When I was about to leave, more light-hearted than when I had come, she said these parting words. "But don't have 5 boys, that's considered BAD luck." I remember thinking to myself...."Oh, okay (DUH).....I'll see what I can do." (---like I really have any say in the matter).

I have thought about that experience off and on over the several years since it happened. I don't think I recalled it right away when I found out I was yet to bear another son.....boy #5. But I have thought about it many times through the years.

How could a boy as sweet as my little Jacob bring me bad luck? I could never trade his existence EVER (even for a little red-headed girl).....



Every day when I drop him off to Kindergarten, my heart melts as I watch him get out of the car (by himself), shut the door behind him, wave goodbye with the sweetest smile you've ever seen, and then literally RUN to the front door of the school. He plants his feet firmly on the ground and then he's off.......running, not always looking back. His hair blows as he makes a quick haste. His little legs carry him quickly and his boots dig in the grass to propel him faster. I already miss this about him. The time is so limited that I have to witness such a sweet sight. And everyday it is slipping away faster and faster.

These pictures probably don't do justice, but you can kind-of see what I watch every day. It is something very close to my heart.


I'm sorry, but that pharmacist was wrong that day. I am lucky to have 5 boys. I love telling people now how many boys I have, if only to get a reponse out of them. Once in a while I get a "congrats," but most of the time, I still get the shocked looks and the "I feel so sorry for you" pity in their eyes.....but they don't understand. I feel sorry for them for their narrow way of thinking.

I am proud to be a mother of 5 boys. And I think I AM lucky!