A time to reflect
To my little ones:
Today is my birthday. Today I turned 37 years old. I am now firmly in my late 30′s and while this is the first birthday that has given me pause when I think about my age, I have come to the realization that being comfortable with your age simply means being comfortable with yourself.
And while I haven’t always been comfortable with myself (some day I’ll tell you about middle school), I really enjoy who I am today. And much of that has to do with you, my little ones. You see, since your mother and I welcomed you into our world, all fear and doubt and questions about being a good father have melted away. Over the past three years I have come to not only love being your Daddy, but to also realize (at the sake of sounding immodest) that I’m pretty darn good at being your Daddy. And THAT, above all else I have done in my life, makes me feel like I’ve done something pretty special.
In addition to today being my birthday, I had to go to a funeral for a man I did not know but who had helped your Daddy’s YMCA a lot in the past before his body broke down from old age and fun living. I didn’t know this man but hearing everyone talk about how caring he was – along with his ability to make people laugh, his ability to reach out to those he didn’t even know and make their lives better, and his ability to write funny poetry for his his six children – all made me think about how blessed this man was to have so many people stand up and say, not only what a great man he was, but also what a great father he was. It made me realize that I have my priorities straight and I hope I never forget that when it comes time for me to pass from this world, that my greatest contribution will have been the love and caring that I shared with you.
And someday, when you’re 17, 37, 57 or 87, may you find comfort in knowing who you are. And may I have had a small part in creating that comfort.
Love and kisses,
Daddy.
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Happy Birthday Matthew! It’s amazing how young our kids can make us feel and yet, other days? Ancient man, just a relic. Hope you have a great birthday!
Comment by Trish — July 25, 2008 @ 6:00 am
Happy Birthday
Comment by Christie — July 25, 2008 @ 6:22 am
Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day and thanks for sharing that beautiful reflection.
Comment by Angelique — July 25, 2008 @ 6:27 am
Happy Birthday, man. Hope you have a great day.
Comment by Ed (zoesdad) — July 25, 2008 @ 6:54 am
Happy birthday Matthew. Those kids of yours are lucky to have you.
Comment by Issa — July 25, 2008 @ 9:22 am
Happy birthday. As I just turned 38, I can attest to the same comfortable feelings that I didnt have earlier in life.
Comment by Above Average Joe — July 25, 2008 @ 9:27 am
happy birthday old friend……….
Comment by margaret — July 25, 2008 @ 10:28 am
having to go to a funeral on your birthday is just not right. ..
Comment by ali — July 25, 2008 @ 11:48 am
Happy Birthday!! Ma
Comment by MamáChanga — July 25, 2008 @ 2:22 pm
Oops, it posted before I could finish typing!
Happy Birthday!! May your day be filled with fun & sweetness!
Although funerals can be sad, they are very much a celebration of life, sounds like that man made a great impact.
Hugs & Blessings!
Comment by MamáChanga — July 25, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
Yesterday, I told friends that it was my son’s birthday (big mistake) and they wouldn’t leave it alone. Once they forced me to reveal your age, two of them pointed out that they also had children in their late thirties and they couldn’t understand how their kids got to be so OLD, either. So, we pondered this, but not for too long, while we ate our veggie burgers, at the raw food restaurant.
Love you more than there are stars in the sky, baby boy.
Comment by Grandmother — July 25, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
Happy Birthday, what a beautiful letter.
Comment by Rachael — July 26, 2008 @ 10:02 am
Happy belated birthday… do you have any leftover cake?
Comment by Deanna — July 26, 2008 @ 10:58 am
Oh man. I totally suck. I completely missed your birthday. Hope it was a good one!
Comment by Christine — July 26, 2008 @ 10:06 pm
Happy really, really late birthday!
Comment by missnightowl — July 27, 2008 @ 7:23 pm
Happy (late) birthday!
Comment by Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah — July 28, 2008 @ 6:54 pm