Wednesday, January 03, 2007 Driver, wife’s priceless gift
INSTEAD of Christmas, it was on New Year’s Day that their gift arrived for jeepney driver Richard Doletina and his wife Maritess.
Ashton Doletina was supposed to be delivered last Dec. 22 yet, but managed to wait for nine more days before making his grand entrance. He weighed seven pounds.
Maritess, 21, said that on Dec. 31, she stayed with her younger sister at home on N. Bacalso Ave. At 9 p.m., she decided to walk to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) because she wanted to make sure that her then unborn baby was all right.
Her sister Sarahly walked with Maritess to the hospital, as her husband Richard was still plying his route as a jeepney driver.
When Maritess arrived at the CCMC, she was immediately put into labor, which lasted three hours.
And at 1:37 a.m., Ashton was born without any complications.
First son
The baby’s name was a suggestion from Maritess’ elder siblings, one she found suitable for her baby boy.
With Ashton’s birth, Maritess hopes the year ahead will be a fruitful one for her family, although Ashton’s birth in itself is already enough of a blessing. Ashton is Maritess and Richard’s first baby.
Maritess’ wish for her boy is simple.
“I hope he grows up well and healthy,” Maritess said.
Her sister Sarahly did not mind meeting 2007 in the hospital alone, as Maritess went into labor.
“It’s okay because I was happy,” she said of the first time she saw Ashton, adding that she was always with Maritess at the hospital.
Having the baby, however, would mean Richard will have to continue driving to cope with the expenses.
But Maritess said her husband doesn’t mind the extra work. “He’s very happy,” said Maritess.
But the Doletina couple is not the only people that made Ashton happy.
Maritess said her mother, a first-time grandmother, is looking forward to coming to Cebu from Negros just to meet the boy.
Maritess and Ashton went home yesterday, their young family now one more gift richer. (JGA)
