
So we are about a month away from having an ultrasound confirm what is already known: the bundle of joy we have on the way is, in fact, a boy. Now some of you more skeptical types might scoff at the notion that we could somehow know such a fact before any medical examination, but let me tell you the story of the magic blanket.
The story begins on an Indian reservation in the Dakotas, long long ago. My father served there as a missionary and was well liked by many of the tribe members. One good sister hand-made a beautiful quilt for him as a parting gift. Before giving my dad the lovely blue quilt, she presented it to the holy man who blessed the blanket. My dad accepted the gift and returned home with it. After my dad married my mom, they kept the blanket on their bed. The years passed and my the little family grew. First was Jeremy, then Andy, and then myself. 3 boys all in a row and the blanket remained on the bed. Normally, this succession of events would not seem out of the ordinary, but, the holy man had blessed the blanket that it would endow the recipient with many sons. After I was born, my dad decided that he should tell my mom the full story of the blanket. When mother heard that story, the blanket immediately came off the bed and the next child born was Tracy, my little sister and the only girl.
Well, the blanket was retired from service and nearly forgotten. Then one day I remembered the fabled treasure and asked if it was still intact. Indeed it was and I promptly returned it to service on my own bed. Less than a week after doing so, our little boy was conceived.
Now you know why I am so sure of the gender of our little fetus.