My Second Father's Day

On this very special day, I want to take heed from the words uttered in a Bryan Adams song that was popular many years ago:

"Everything I do, I do it for you."

Thank you both for making me a father.  Both of you are loved.  One of you is greatly missed.  The other, may I hold onto you forever.

Get well soon, o' furry one!

     I know things have been rough for you lately.  First it was the ear infection.  Now it is the eye infection.  Not to mention the ongoing allergy issues.  I just want you to know that you are such a vital component of our family.  I know it seems like my attitude towards you has changed since Radha's arrival, but I still love you very much.  Honestly, I don't know what Mom and I would do without you.  You have helped us both through some EXTREMELY tough times.  We want you around for several more years.  We want Radha to know just how big a piece of our hearts you share.  Please get well soon! 

A View of Motherhood. One year later.

     One year ago, I watched as you faced the holiday with all the resolve you could muster.  It was a day you were fully entitled to celebrate, yet he was not there to celebrate it with you.  One year later, you celebrated  your second Mother's Day, and this time she was there.  It was a blessing to watch you stare into her eyes and hold her close to you throughout the day.  You looked so beautifully happy.  Though she was close, I know he was on your mind and in your heart as well.  One year ago I had no idea just how much of a difference one year can make.  I'm glad I got to find out.

Farewell Kevin...

Kevin,

     I heard that you passed away on April 5, 2009 at the entirely too young age of 35.  Thinking back, I remember that time you picked on me in our seventh grade English class and Greg Ledbetter stepped in on my behalf.  I didn't hate you for it though.  There are a few good memories, like that time in '88 when Columbus got one of those random, freak ice storms and my mom's car got stuck in the slush right across from your parents' house.  You offered to help us get it out.  I haven't forgotten the ribbing you gave me when the Dodgers got knocked out of the '91 MLB Playoffs, either.  Can't say I didn't deserve it with the way I was running my mouth in the middle of Braves Nation though.  Anyway man, I know you have a wife and two young children who are missing you more than their hearts can stand it right now.  I've prayed for them every night since I heard the news.  I read your obituary, and it sounded like you lived a full life in the short time you were here.  That's all any of us can ask for in the end. Congratulations on all you achieved.  I hope there are plenty of mud bogs in Heaven.

Happy Birthday to Two!

     As fate would have it, both my mother and my wife share the same birthday.  Yesterday morning, Radha and I met up with my mom at a nearby outdoor mall.  I wanted to treat mom to a nice birthday brunch so after offering her the choice of any restaurant at the mall or in the surrounding area, she chose...Sonic.  Gotta' love her.  Maybe she feels she can only enjoy/invest in junk food once a year and her birthday happens to be that day.  Friends from Michigan were in town for Reese's birthday dinner and we all ended up at Maggiano's where they seem to have never heard of "small portions".  That's okay though because pasta usually tastes just as good the second day.  Of course we had to make a trip over to my parents' house so gifts could be exchanged and then get home before it was past Radha's bedtime.  Though I may not have realized it in earlier years, I'm really thankful that I have two special women in my life that are honored on the same day.  Let's do it all over again next year, ladies!

Settling in

     And so begins my second week.  My first week as a SAHD had a few good days and a few not-so-good days.  If there is one thing I learned, it was to never expect the same day twice.  I am on HER schedule and she never keeps the same schedule.  Seeing as how this process carries an evolutionary aspect with it, I believe adapt or die will be my adage going forward.

     Reese and I attended our first post-Radha cookout yesterday, and I must say that it was a very enjoyable experience.  Seeing as how the weather has been progressively warming up since the end of February (it was in the low nineties yesterday), our friends Chris and Crystal must have figured that since the summer weather is here we should be diving right into summer activities.  Chris and Crystal have an eight-month-old girl and the other couple attending, Mike and Tammy, brought their eleven-week-old girl along as well.  A strangely satisfying feeling washed over me while sitting there partly involved in the conversations and partly tending to Radha as the fajita meat cooked on the propane grill.  It was comforting to be among my fellow Americans who are also facing similar challenges.  Chris made the comment that, "There must be something in the water with all of these girls being born."  If that's the case, then I'm glad I took a drink when I did. 

One down...

     So I have conquered one whole day of, what I've been assured on many occasions, is the most important job of my life.  I've got to say that things went rather smoothly.  Radha didn't cry much, she got enough to eat and she slept for a good long while.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't breath a sigh of relief when Selkie made it home from work though.  Yeah, I think this job is going to turn out okay.  Like most bosses I've had in the past, I'm sure Radha will have days where she is quite pleased with my performance and others where nothing I do will be satisfying.  That's okay though, she can't fire this employee.  As for the job I had been on for fourteen months prior to this one, my last day was, as expected, rather anti-climactic.  I turned in my ID badges and gate pass, moved my remaining lab coats to the "Employees no longer with the company" rack and rode off with a $25 iTunes gift card.  I made a lot of good friends while working there.  Ones I know I should make the effort to keep in touch with.  I'll be sure to touch base with them every now and then to let them know how well my performance evaluations are going.