The imminent arrival of our son (daughter?) has started me thinking fatherly thoughts. In less than six month’s time, I will be face to face with my first child. How will I know how to act? I’ve never been a father before! What if I don’t have an answer when I need one? The responsibility can be terrifying if you let it. Those these questions have crossed my mind, I have always been a “fly by the seat of my pants” kind of guy. I’ll figure it out somehow.
The Fatherly Thinking Phase(tm) led to other thoughts as I was saying goodnight to my wife. Thoughts about my own childhood.
I tried to remember the last time I had been hoisted up into the arms of a parent. This kind of thing I take for granted when I do it for my neices and nephews. I pick them up and dangle them, giggling, upside down.
As a kid, the best feeling in the world was to be held by my mom or dad. And one day they put me down for what was to be the very last time. And at the time I didn’t even know it.
Moments like these go by so fast and then they’re gone forever. Then one day you find yourself playing the other role, and then remember why it was so important.
The best fatherly advice I could ever ask for is from that little kid I used to be. The one who is still longing for one last hug.