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IT'S APPARENT...YOU'RE A PARENT
Today our oldest son turns 40…instead of feeling old…I”m feeling pretty good
as I pause to reflect a moment…on love and parenthood….
I do wonder how this happened…when did he become a man?
Here my memory takes me back to where it all began…
There are no words to describe the feeling…how immediately you’re torn
as you stand inside the hospital room and watch your baby being born.
“Congratulations,” the doctor says, “It’s a girl or it’s a boy.”
And in that instant your heart is filled…with both ecstasy and joy…
but in the next instant your knees begin to buckle and you feel a little numb…
because you realize in that instant…a parent you’ve become.
And you’re frightened for a moment…as you say your baby’s name…
because it’s apparent you’re a parent and your life will never be the same.
You understand you can’t go back…this photo cannot be retouched…
How being a dad…was the easy part…being a parent…not so much.
Questions begin racing through your mind…whizzing by rapidly.
How strong or strict or compassionate or tender will you be?
How will you ever cope with all the trials and tribulations up ahead?
Can you even change a diaper…what if it ends up on her head?
How long should we let a baby cry…if too long will they think that we we are mean?
How many times a day should she eat…what happens if his poop is green?
Will she come to love your smile? Will he come to know your touch?
How many wipes is too many? Is it possible to cherish them too much?
Where is the safest place for our baby to ride in a car? Will there ever be a time when…
We stop worrying, know what we’re doing…or get a full nights sleep again?
But you have no choice…you’re a parent…so you jump into the fray
hoping you don’t make too many mistakes as you slowly find your way.
Then you find if you give them love, compassion and consistency…
a loving family will evolve
You discover the answers to your questions…and all your problems are resolved.
Sure you make mistakes along the way…life doesn’t always go the way we planned…
But your heart is in the right place…and you do the best you can…
Because you also knew one day your child will grow up and move away…
And if you want to be in his life tomorrow…you must be in her life today…
And as the years go by you smile…every time you say your baby’s name
glad he or she came into your life…glad it has never been the same.
