Coop: My Newest Fishin' Buddy

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I think it was Isaac Newton who said "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction". Turns out that not only does that fact apply to science, but to every day life as well. Just as the Cloud of Doom and Despair (metaphor for my mother-in-law) was about to envelop the Toby Dome, the silver lining of said cloud suddenly appears, as if by Divine Providence. Even the presence of  the Swamp Creature (another metaphor for the MIL) can't dampen the spirit of what is about to happen. My cousin by marriage, Ashley, is in labor and about to bring forth into the world Cooper Dow. Cooper is Ashley's first baby so this is an exciting time for her, Shawn (the baby Daddy) and her parents, Arthur and Mary Ellen, who will be first-time grandparents. My wife, Heather, is very close to Ashley so she is elated as well. Me? I am very excited too in anticipation of a new fishin' buddy. Me and Coop are gonna be big time buds. As I type this, it's just shy of 11AM EDT, so by tonight we could have a new addition to our extended family.

I am the father of four kids and have seen two of them being born. It's an amazing thing to witness the birth of a child and to anticipate how he/she will turn out years down the road. Will Coop be a doctor, lawyer, baseball player, Priest? Where ever life leads Coop, I know he'll be a helluva fisherman because he'll learn from the best, me. :) Looking a few years ahead, Coop will be known as FishFearMeToo. I will be honored to be your fishin' buddy, Coop.


Coop, you are coming into the world with something that nobody can take away from you, your family. You have a great Mom who will continue to love and nurture you for the rest of your life, no matter what. She's a good chick who earns the Redneck Seal of Approval. :) Your Dad is a good young man who will guide you through life's journey with the strength and assurance that you'll pass on to your son someday. Your Grandma and Grandpa are two of the finest people I've ever met, and believe me, Coop, I've met millions of people. They are rock solid folks with great values and an unconditional love for their family. I guess what I'm trying to say, Coop, is that you'll be a member of a family of good, decent, God-fearing people.

Coop, you're getting a good start to your life with so many of us who love you. But I think all of us are the ones who are getting the good end of the deal - we will have you in our lives. Welcome aboard, Coop. Now let's go fishin'.