Father's Day

So my first official Father's Day is upon us. It's funny how I used to think of these so-called holidays as useless, commerical fabrications designed to sell cards, flowers, candy, or whatever. But in this stage of my life, I've begun to look at them differently. They may be artificial, commercialized holidays, but they are a great opportunity to recognize and appreciate the people in our lives. Father's Day to me is simply an opportunity to me to realize how great it is to be a father. We just avoid getting caught up in the hysteria of these so-called holidays.

How great is it being a father? It's beyond the capacity of language to describe. For example, now when Kai sits on my shoulders, he leans all the way down next to my face and smiles at me. The look on his face is indescribable. When Isaac had a nasty cut on his face after a basketball game, he came to me and asked me to look at the cut, clean it and bandage it. This was perhaps the most fatherly thing I've done for Isaac yet. The feeling of connection with these boys is so amazing, I really can't begin to describe it. The most profound parts of our lives are often beyond the capacity of words.

So this, my very first Father's Day, I am honoring my son Kai, my step-son Isaac, and my wife Erin for being who they are, and for accepting and loving me as I am. Let the good times roll.