Kirk and Ines Welcome Baby Boy
Dutton Country Courier
"You can never go back."
I don't know how many times I have heard that phrase in discussions throughout my thirty-odd years of existence. I suppose in most regards it is true. But how many adults really truly want to go back to their childhood? Not many, I suppose. For one thing, someone else has to drive you everywhere.
There is something to be said for the security that we discover in a town like Dutton growing up. When I was a child, I used to hate that everyone's parents knew what I was doing and that if I did something wrong, my parents were going to find out about it before I'd have the chance to come up with a good alibi.
Well, now I'm older and have been around the world a bit more. Let me tell you, there is something to be said for a community that can still recognize its children after they've been gone for months, years, sometimes even decades. Sure, the children may come back a bit dusty and unpolished, but that's nothing a brisk southwestern breeze won't take care of (or maybe that a fresh Northern can freeze-off). When Dutton's children come home, they are still welcomed with the same enthusiasm, the same warmth that they took with them in their knapsack on their way out the door.
Never have I felt this community more than in the past month, as my wife and I have received call after call, e-mail after e-mail, wishing us well and congratulating us on the birth of our son. As someone who gave up permanent residence in Dutton about ten years ago, it never ceases to amaze me how many of you still know what's going on in my life.
Well, I'm fine. My wife is fine. Our son, Cornelius Francis (born on October 10th, weighing-in at 8 pounds 9 ounces) is fine and thanks to all of you, he will never want for warmth or love in his life. And when he comes to visit you all, he will understand that Cornelius Francis is far too long a name for Duttonites to pronounce, so you can just call him Cornell.
As for me, I am content with the fact that I can never go back. It doesn't matter anyway. The truth is, with a home like Dutton, you can never leave.
Thank you all again for your wishes and the lovely gifts. We will see you when we see you.
Kirk, Ines, and Cornell Habel
Congratulations Kirk and Ines! And welcome to the world Cornelius!
Posted by: Sepp Jannotta | November 16, 2007 at 08:12 AM