December 30th… The wind bit through my coat as I stepped inside the liquor store on New Years. The adrenaline racing through me got me in a good spirit as I scanned the shelves for something worthy of drinking. My family flocked to my house after driving endlessly from Dallas to Chicago, and my wife's from Detroit. My beautiful wife, Aldona, stood beside me, cradling our newborn daughter in her arms. Aldona, Polish by birth, with a fierce spirit, was glowing, radiating more than ever.
Our daughter Maria was just weeks old and inherited my Dutch and my wife's Polish. As I picked up a sleek bottle of Vodka, I turned to Aldona.
"Do you think this will do?" I asked.
Maria began to whimper, her little face scrunching as the cold crept in through the store. Aldona began to gently rock Maria in her arms before taking the Vodka from my hands and exchanging it with my lovely Maria.
"Here, be careful." Aldona gently whispered, her words being wrapped around her thick Polish accent.
I held Maria close to my chest, gently succumbing to her little breaths as her tiny body warmed my hands. I gazed down at her little face, she was so pure, innocent and perfect. My bundle of joy wrapped in a blanket and in my arms.
In that moment, I felt an emotion stir throughout my body, something deep, raw and warm. I didn't know then that this would be the last time I felt such a strong, real emotion.