Watching Cody Grow

Posted on Fri Apr 14th, 2023 @ 8:07am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Heather and Fernando's tent
Timeline: MD3
611 words - 1.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Fernando woke up with a start. He looked back to make sure he hadn't woken Heather but he didn't need to worry, she was still sleeping soundly. Sliding out of bed, he made his way over to Cody's crib and smiled down at their sleeping son. He reached down and gently picked Cody up, kissing him lightly on his forehead. Cody cooed softly but didn't wake. Walking over to a chair by the heater, Fernando sat down and quietly talked to Cody.

"Cody, my son, my precious son. I love you more than you will ever know or at least until you become a dad of your own and have children of your own. Notice I said dad and not father. Dads are different than fathers. Dad's love and care for their children. They hurt when their children hurt. They even cry when their child is in pain whether it be physical pain or the pain of disappointment. They teach them right and wrong. To be responsible. How to trat people with respect. You, my son are my greatest treasure. There is nothing I would not do to keep you safe. I am just sorry you are stuck here on this oversized ice cube of a planet. But do not fret, we will soon be back on the Elysium, and you will be back in your nice, warm crib and all your 'people' (stuffed toys) So just be patient Mommy and Daddy won't let anything happen to you. You just continue to do what you do. Smile and coo and make us happy for you are so loved."

Fernando leaned back and gently rocked Cody. Just holding him and thinking how truly blessed he, Fernando was. He had a wife who he loved dearly and she him and looking down at Cody a son who the sun rose and set on. "Cody, one more thing. No matter how old you get, I will always love you and be your dad and nothing could please me more." He finished as he kissed his son one more time and just held him, rocking and thinking this was his greatest accomplishment. To be a dad. As he rocked Cody, Fernando remembered a song he had heard several years before but it now resonated with him even more since he became a dad. So, smiling he began to sing softly and changing the lyrics as he did.


There he sits with a pen and a yellow pad,
he's a handsome lad, that's my boy.
P-r-l-f-q, spells mom and dad.
Well, that ain't too bad, 'cause that's my boy.
You can have your holovids and your night clubs.
You can have your picture shows.
I'll sit here and drink an iced tea and listen to the radio,
bidin' my time and watchin' Cody grow.

Makin' castles out of building blocks,
and a cardboard box, that's my boy.
Mickey Mouse says it's thirteen o'clock.
Well, that's quite a shock, but that's my boy.
In all these years I've grown from rags to riches.
What I did before that, I don't know?
Let it rain on my windowpane, I got my own rainbow.
And we're sittin' here shinin', watchin' Cody grow.

Up on daddy's shoulders and off to bed,
old sleepyhead, that's my boy.
Gotta have a drink of water and a story read,
and a teddy bear named Fred, that's my boy.
What's that you say, momma, come on and keep your feet warm.
Well, save a place, I'll be in in a minute or so.
I think I'll stay right here and say a little pray'r before I go.
Me and God are watchin' Cody grow.