2007 has arrived, and the world is still spinning merrily as if nothing happened.
But something [add significantly more emphasis than bold or italics could offer] did [end emphasis] happen.
This is the beginning of my first year as a parent. My first year as a father, role model, provider, nurturer, and demi-god to an adorable little guy with the smiliest eyes I can imagine.
Ok… perhaps that’s a little excessive. I’m not really a nurturer.
As I wake in the morning, I am greeted with the knowledge that all in my little kingdom are well.
I look in on a sleeping Ben in his crib - happily opening and closing his hands at the end of chubby little arms stretched out far above his head. He smiles a little in his sleep and often raises his eyebrows in an expression of pleasant surprise. As much as I want to kiss his forehead and tell him I love him before leaving to hunt for the day I usually blow a quiet kiss rather than risk waking him.
Lin may struggle a little to return to a solid slumber after ‘the wakening’ but she will return to a restful, warm, “snuggled in a duvet” sleep in short order.
While I brush my chompers - Cordelia sneaks onto the bed, crawling to the top of my stack of pillows like a princess (sans pea). Maya shuffles herself listlessly from the closet floor to Lins side of the bed, and they all return to sleep blissfully unaware of my absence.
I pack my toys into the car and open the garage door.
The sun is quivering in the cool morning air - resisting the temptation to get up so early. The solstice has passed now - and every day till summer the daylight will rise earlier in an attempt to pull us from slumber. Perhaps I’ll see a few early mornings at the pond this season, attempting to pull sleepy trout from comfortable holes.
As I drive to work, I see the sun in my rearview, creeping over the urban horizon. Just a few weeks ago I was arriving at the office in total darkness. As the days grow longer, the sun is meeting me ever closer to the time I punch in. In days past I might don a bearskin and hide in a tree ready to fall a deer with a trusty arrow or spear. It is the age of the internets however, and I have traded in my skins for Old Navy and Marks’ Work Wearhouse, and my bow and quiver for a keyboard and an LCD. Either way meat gets to the table.
So I suppose - while the daily routine is the same, it all means something different this year. From the time I blow that kiss to a sleeping boy I am working for him, molding and shaping a world that is safe and warm, just so he can stretch those arms out - and make faces of pleasant surprise.
Looks like it will be a great year.
Greg, you should have been a journalist. You write beautifully and are articulate when it comes to expressing yourself. Indeed, it will be a different year for you and Lin as well as Ben. He is a darling and a blessing. To know him is to love him. Give yourselves big pats on the backs for being caring and attentive parents - you are both great. Of course, give the little lad a kiss from Grandad and Nana. May the year ahead fulfill all your dreams and plans and see them come true.
Dad
Hear hear, it’s gotta start off better then last year! Also on Day 3 of my Quit. =)