As told by Ben Cartwright
“Today is a very special day in our family. My youngest son, my baby Little
Joe turns six years old.”
“It just doesn’t seem possible that he is six already. Where does the time go? I wish to God that my precious Marie was here to help celebrate this special day with our son. I can’t help but think back to October 31 six years ago, the day our baby boy made his early appearance into this world and into the hearts of our family.”
“At breakfast that morning I thought Marie looked really tired, but she tried to hide that from me by acting as she did everyday-happy and normal. Hoss and Adam kept talking about the new school day that morning. Adam loved school, but Hoss didn’t care for it. He wanted to stay home and help take care of the animals and help me with the ranch chores.”
“Marie and I had to keep convincing Hoss that he needed a good education so as he got older it would help him become a better adult and to help him figure out any problems that might come along.”
“After the boys left for school I suggested to Marie that she take it easy and rest as our baby would be born in a few weeks and she would need all her energy then.”
“I left to do some fence repairs in the lower pasture, but before I left, I asked Hop Sing to please keep an eye on Marie and make sure that she got plenty of rest. I knew I didn’t have to ask Hop Sing since he seemed to know what every member of our family needed and when. He smiled at me and told me not to worry as he would take good care of Marie for me. I tell you, Hop Sing is priceless and we would be lost without him in our lives. He is a true member of our family”
“I had been busy for several hours repairing the fence line when Charlie came racing into view and shouting my name. He told me that Marie was going into labor and that I should get straight home. He also told me that Hank had gone to Virginia City to get Dr. Paul Martin.”
“I tell you, I was in shock and couldn’t move for a couple of seconds. Charlie called to me again and I snapped out of my shock, ran to my horse and we raced off towards the house. I kept praying to God that it is too soon for the baby to be born, and I was so worried about Marie and about the baby too. I didn’t want to lose either one of them.”
“When Charlie and I arrived at the house he told me to go to Marie and he would take care of Dusty for me. I think I said ‘thank you’ but not sure. All I could think of was getting to Marie.”
“I raced up the stairs to our room and she smiled at me as did Hop Sing. He had been with Marie the entire time and he kept her calm and he kept reassuring her that everything would be just fine. He said that the baby seemed to be in a big hurry to get here. Both Marie and I agreed with him even though we kept telling the baby to wait for a couple three weeks yet.”
“As soon as Paul arrived he sent me downstairs, but before I left my dear Marie I told her that I loved her and that I would see her soon.”
“As I came down the stairs both Adam and Hoss stood up and they seemed very anxious and worried. Adam seemed the most worried of the two of them. Hoss couldn’t figure out why we were so worried, but I tried to explain to him that it was too early for the baby to be born. All he wanted was to be able to play with his baby brother. He told us that the baby would be a boy, so I hope he gets his wish. All I want is a healthy baby, so I don’t care if it is a boy or a girl, though it would be nice to have a girl.”
“It was so hard to sit down and try to stay calm for my sons, so I did a lot of pacing back and forth and looking up the stairs. Adam paced with me at times while Hoss played with his toys. He looked toward the stairs several times and asked when his baby brother would come down the stairs. I told him that babies are too little to walk right after they are born.”
“Hoss hasn’t seen that many babies in his short life. About the only ones he has seen is Mitch Devlin who is a year old and Seth Pruitt who is almost three years old. Of course he has seen some in church, but he has been around Mitch and Seth more as their parents are good friends of ours.”
“I was about to sit down again when I heard the baby cry. I looked at the stairs again when Hoss asked why the baby was crying. I told him all babies cry when they are born. He told me that he didn’t when he was born. It was hard not to laugh at that statement. Adam coughed to hide his laughter.”
“Paul appeared at the top of the stairs and told me to come up stairs. I told Adam and Hoss to wait until I called them up to meet their new sibling. I don’t think that I have ever raced up those stairs as fast as I did that night.”
“As I ran into our room, there was my beautiful Marie glowing with pride, but looking tired and holding a tiny bundle in her arms. She told me to please come and meet my tiny baby boy. Paul touched my arm and told me that I had a beautiful tiny baby boy and a healthy baby too.”
“I remember looking down at my boy and I had never seen such a beautiful baby boy in my life. He had thick curly hair and the biggest eyes I have ever seen on a baby. Marie was in tears-tears of happiness. I asked her and Paul if they were sure the baby was a boy, because he was so beautiful. Marie chuckled and unwrapped the baby and sure enough he is a boy!”
“I don’t think I will ever live that one down, as both Marie and Paul were laughing at me. I sat down on the edge of the bed, gave Marie a big kiss and thanked for giving me such a beautiful son. I held the tiny baby in my arms and I couldn’t stop my tears as I leaned down and kissed his curly head. I swear to you that he smiled at me.”
“I turned to look at Adam and Hoss who had come into the room and I told them to come and meet their new baby brother. Hoss smiled at the baby and kissed his head and looked at us and said,” see I dun told ya he would be a boy. Ain’t he purddy?” I said he sure is and his name is Joseph Francis Cartwright.”
“Hoss looked at me, then at Marie and called the baby Little Joe and he said that name fit his baby brother better than his full name, and we totally agreed with Hoss on that.”
“Adam looked down at his new brother, smiled and gave the baby a kiss on his forehead. Then he turned and looked at Marie, gave her a kiss and told her that he loved her and his new baby brother. That brought tears to Marie’s eye and mine too. Marie told Adam to sit down which he did and he held his baby brother for the first time.”
“He told Little Joe that he loved him and that he would keep him safe at all times and teach him all kinds of things. Little Joe watched Adam’s face as he talked to him and the baby grabbed hold of Adam’s finger and held it tight. Adam was amazed at how strong the baby was as were the rest of us, but then he is a Cartwright after all.”
“It has been an adventure with Little Joe. That boy has so much energy and he never seems to stop. He is always on the go, and it took all of us to keep him under control. That boy is the heart and soul of our family and we thank God everyday for him.”
“This is his first birthday without his mother. She died suddenly when he was barely five years old in a riding accident. I was so lost without my Marie and to look at Little Joe was almost unbearable, since he looked so much like her. He had her curly thick hair, her silly giggle, her never ending energy, her beautiful big green eyes, her small size, her temper, her sensitivity and her mischief. As time went on, I was so thankful that he was so much like her, but there are times when he is careless without thinking and I don’t think I could live without that little boy in my life. Just look at all this grey hair he has given me, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
“Adam and Hoss absolutely adore their little brother and they are so very protective of him. They have taught him so many things and he has learned everything very well too. I am so proud of him and also of Adam and Hoss. I love my sons more than life itself.”
“Little Joe is like a son to Hop Sing as well. Hop Sings loves that boy so much that he seems to put up with all of that boy’s silly mischief very well. He tries to act angry with him with all the mischief, but like us, he is a big old softy. That little boy sure has us all trained so very well. Just looking into his big green puppy dog eyes and we melt, it is almost impossible to say ‘no’ to him and that includes Hop Sing too.”
“Yes, today was a fun day for Little Joe. We had a birthday party for him and his friends came to help him celebrate his big day. Hop Sing made a true feast for everyone and a big chocolate birthday cake for the birthday boy. All through the party we could hear that silly giggle from my baby and it made everyone laugh right along with him. I know my Marie is watching her baby boy from heaven and I know too that she is so proud of him just like the rest of us are.”
“So as I helped my little boy get ready bed tonight he told me that he misses his mama so much and he wished that she could have been here to help him celebrate his big day. Then he smiled and said “She is celebrating in heaven and watching over me now and everyday.” That statement brought tears to my eyes as it did to Little Joe’s.”
“As I sit here watching my precious little boy in deep sleep I feel Marie’s spirit right here with me. I am the luckiest man alive with the best sons a man could ever want, and I thank God everyday for them especially for this little curly haired imp. Thank you God and Marie for this precious little boy. Happy Birthday Little Joe, I love you more than you will ever know.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE JOE!
The end.