Life Is Good Today

The bailout didn't pass, the DOW is down, I didn't grab that coffee I wanted on my way in, Outlook hates me. If you watch the news they make it sound like we are fumbling towards historical depths.

But none of those things can change the hug that my son gave me this morning when I got him out of bed, it doesn't matter what happens the rest of the day..... Life is good today, life is good today. There will be much more to come on this theme in the near future, but know that life is good today.

Adios and vaya con dios!!

The Daddy Shuffle ---- Or Should I Say Stumble?

Last night my wife had her usually Monday night where she is gone from around 5:30 to 8:30. This is always one of my favorite nights as it gives me and my son a time to just be together and have some one on one time. But this is also one of the most challenging nights of the week because I am flying solo, actually flying without my navigator, which makes it hard to stay on course.

I decide that to start our night I was going to take my son, and our two dogs for a walk. This sounds rather simple, but trust me it is anything but simple. I get him loaded up in his jogger stroller, and I get the leashes and gentle leaders on the dogs. We make it out the front door and I have one hand on the stroller, one on the leashes, so far so good. Then the girls start wanting to pull and explore, this creates a problem. They weigh around 85 and 70 lbs respectively, and can generate a pretty fair amount of force when they want to change directions. So this makes steering the stroller a real challenge. We make it 2 blocks down and turn around. I guess you can have to much fun. As a consolation we play out in the yard for another half an hour.

We make our way in around the time that I need to start preparing dinner for my son. Then it dawns on me, my wife didn't tell me what to make him...... Hmmm, I am his dad and should be able to whip something right up, but I realize that I am not quite sure what he should have. After looking in the fridge, I find some chicken and sweet potatoes. Sounds good, I get it all put together and off we go, dinner time. He eats the chicken and sweet potatoes, followed up by some yogurt.

During his dinner, my dinner gets delivered. Pizza of course, what else would you expect 2 guys at home alone to order while they catch some Monday night football? But mine goes straight to the fridge as now there is no time to eat.

After his dinner we get cleaned up a bit and set off on playing for a while to burn the last reserves of energy before bed time. Usually during this time I also do the dishes, but wait, who is that tugging at my shorts and starting to fuss. My son, what is up buddy? Oh that is right daddy plays while mommy does the dishes. Together we steer further off course without our ships captain. So we play for a while, but he still isn't as happy as he should be. I feel his head, and I think he may be a little on the warm side.... Hmm, where do we keep the Motrin? After scrounging around I find it and it's handy dispenser, get the Motrin down and all of the sudden it is time for a bath. We get in the bath and about 90 seconds later, he pees in the tub. Alright bath time is done.....

We get dressed for bed, read a story and it is time for the little man to go to sleep. Right as he starts to drift into a peaceful sleep the dogs start barking. Thanks girls. He gets settled in again, and again they bark, and keep barking, and keep barking. Now it is time for us to go and check on what could be bothering them. False alarm - just the shadow from the chair. Off we go to get settled in again, and a few minutes later, mom is home..... Time to warm up our dinner so that we can eat.

So the story is simple and plain. But just because it sounds simple doesn't mean it is easy.

My respect and admiration goes out to all single parents who grind it out daily and fulfill the labor of love.

Evan Tanner - Rest In Peace

September 8th Evan Tanner passed away. Being a big UFC fan his passing was impactful to me. His rise to becoming a champion in the UFC wasn't what had brought me to be a fan of his. Instead it was his very open personal battle with his own demons that made him a champion to me.

He wrote extensively about his trials and tribulations. He had the heart of a warrior and the spirit of someone always learning and searching for experiences and adventure.

A Jack Kerouac quote reminds me of Evan.

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!”

His own mantra was about believing in the power of one person:
"Believe in the Power of One" is not about me, but it is. It's not an ego thing, it's not an arrogance thing, it's not a look at me, worship me thing. It has nothing to do with that.
It's a statement to all of belief, the belief that each of us, each man, each woman, each individual, has the power to change the world, and it is a reminder to take responsibility for that power, and to make use of it. How will you choose to use your power? How will you choose to change the world?

A great legacy for a man whose life was far to short.

1 Year Old

In the early hours of September 9th, 2008 our son will be 1 year old. 2:07 a.m. to be exact, and the minutes do matter. Because it was September 9th, 2007 at 2:07 a.m. that I fell into the love that only a father or mother can have for their children. It was at that instant that my life was forever changed.

I did not know that my wife held such courage and power inside of her. She brought our son into the world on heart and soul alone. I thought that I knew everything about her, but in those early morning hours from her I learned the labor of love, and the extent of courage. She did not complain once.... She understood that she was more than capable for this moment, all of her 29 years had somehow led to this. And quitely she brought this gift into our lives. I am forever humbled by the power she displayed and the gift she brought to us.

What I didn't expect about the labor was that once our son was born my wife still had work to do. Strangely this allowed me an opportunity to bare witness to the miracle that is our son, by myself for a few moments. While the labor and delivery nurses warmed him and cleaned him, I was offered a few minutes to be with my son. It only took one glimpse of him and life took on a whole new meaning. It almost defies definition or explanation, but I knew in that moment that he was the most important force in both of our lives.

Within minutes I was holding this precious little boy in my arms and all the world was right. Somehow there were no words to describe what I felt, but in those seconds I learned more than my previous 29 years had taught me. I had no idea the depths of love until the moment I held him, then I knew I would do anything for him.

That feeling has never changed, and each day I marvel at how he attacks life with the kind of joy and enthusiasm that I hope he never loses and I never do anything to take from him. He squeezes life with both hands and serves as my example of the joy and wonder that life holds if you seek it. Never did I know someone could be so perfect, and that words could never explain how I felt.

The last year has gone by in the blink of an eye, and many people have said that the ride only gains speed. It seems that I am forever reminded to grab a hold of the moment and enjoy it. But in this case I can see that they are right. The speed of life seems to only increase and somehow tomorrow quickly becomes yesterday. I look forward to seizing those moments as they are the fabric that my life is built upon.

To my wife and son, thank you for all that you both did last year at this time. You have given me the greatest gift that any man can know. My wife each day models for me what unconditional love is, and her example teaches me how I can be a better father. My son, I will spend every moment of my life in an effort to repay you for the feeling you give to me.