23 years ago today was a very special day for me, my son came into the world.
Jeanie could tell you the exact time and weight. All I know is that David Allen Rhoades II (known to all as “Rocky”) was almost delivered in the car!
We were living in Kokomo, IN at the time and Gary, IN was a mere 2 hours away, where Jeanie’s parents lived. I was scheduled to minister at mom and dad’s church on a Sunday morning and I was going to take the three girls: Tara, Stephanie and Tredessa to mom and dad’s for a few days. Jeanie, of course, didn’t want to be left alone at the house. So we started out, labor came, we turned around and went back home (much to the dismay of the girls who wanted to go to Grandma’s). Labor stopped, what should we do? “Throw caution to the wind” said I and off we went again. We were fine for a few miles and then labor came again and intensified, breathing started, contractions close, we knew our doctor would kill us (we were kids back then and scared of white haired doctors in authority roles-never mind WE were paying him!). So at one point, I was ready to pull over just in case and get the towels ready. (we had had 3 by that time and I actually was confident that I would know how to deliver). Labor became a little milder. We rolled into Gary, threw the suitcases and the girls at mom and dad (not really) and were back on the road.
We got as far as Merrillville, on the outskirts of the Chicago metro area, of which Gary is a part. “We better just stop in to the hospital and check” says Jeanie. And we did. And the nurse said, “You’re having this baby!” and they wheeled us into delivery…
I relive the feeling over and over of seeing my son for the first time. And if you know me, you know I cried.
Fast forward to 2007 and let me tell you about my son.
He is a man that is loved by small children and dogs! All grandchildren (mine, not his) await the arrival of Uncle Rocky with baited breath; at times jumping up and down at the window as the car pulls up. “It’s Rocky and Joman!” (Jovan, actually, but they can’t say it yet) And when Rocky walks in the door, it’s time to hang on his neck and grab onto his leg and stand on his foot and wrestle on the floor. Sandy, the family dog, wags her butt off to the point that I think it will detach and fly across the room.
Sister’s ready themselves for teasing. Rocky has always picked on his sisters, from the time he was mobile. And now 23 years later, they still are on guard for tickles and pokes and jokes and faces.
But the main thing I want to tell you about Rocky, is that he is a man after God’s heart.
He, for now, is a worship leader at a church of about 3000. He is the leader of a venue known as “White Water” which they say, “…if you don’t know what a sub-woofer is, you probably won’t like it…” smoke machines, and laser lights and strobes and awesome worship. Easter this past year was like nothing I have ever experienced. (with all of my kids on stage playing).
So Rocky has the privilege of leading a multitude into God’s presence every Sunday.
But the thing that you have to know about Rocky, is the persona on stage is not a persona, it is a reality. Because in the deep, dark places of the soul, he is a worshipper of God. Before he and Jovan married September of 2006, when he lived with us, for hours each night he would be in his basement room worshipping; just him and the Lord. Strengthening himself for what was coming. Readying himself for the people that he would lead to the throne of God.
Rocky is the real deal. What you see is what you get. Genuine, sincere, loving, funny, crazy. A wonderful son, husband and in a short few months now, a father! Rocky will soon be in the place that I was 23 years ago today and stand in awe at the miracle of birth. A son? A daughter? We don’t know yet and it has never mattered to us… It will be the precious circle of life fulfilled…
But this time it won’t be in Merrillville, IN !!!
I love you my son.
I am extremely proud of you!