I dreamed I was with Owen at a carnival in a city. He was unusually candid with me and asked how much is a person supposed to change? He and I talked about how much he’s changed. Somehow, like it happens in dreams, he became Miles. At first I was not sure if it was him or Miles, but I figured out it was Miles. I walked behind him, slightly behind him, and watched him walk. His blonde hair. His long gait. His presence.
Today is Owen’s birthday. Happy birthday Owen. It snowed on the day he was born, 2001. What a year for us in 2001, for all of us. Owen was born. I got a new job. I bought my first car. Then September 11 happened.
Owen was born in Morgantown at Mon General in their new birthing suites. It was so nice to have a new baby, a second son, Owen. I remember Miles being so gentle and curious with his new brother.
Owen as a baby was so different than Miles. When Owen was a tiny baby, he would fall asleep in my arms. I was holding him and he just fell asleep as I held him at the dinner table. I panicked. Miles had never done that, and I thought there was something wrong with the baby. He was so quiet and gentle and sweet. It took me a long time to adjust to raising Owen for who he was because I had to adjust to the way he was and not treat him like I treated him Miles.
When Winnie first told Miles that she was gong to have a baby, the very first thing he said was, “Good! Then you will have milk and I can nurse again!” What a day that was. I remember when Miles first met his brother. His little voice, little hands and blonde hair. I remember him touching his brother’s head, so gently. Stroking him ever so lightly. It was such a happy day. Owen likes Vampire Weekend. So did Miles. We all do.
