My son,
Although you are just a morsel of a man, the strength you bring to me is heroic. Recovering from a year of tragedy and shame, you are the one constant that can break through the bleakest of thoughts– and more than that, it only takes your eyes meeting mine to erupt tears of hope from these starved chasms.
You’re so new to the world, and I have much to share about its wonders and cautions. There are so many things I want to tell you. But most important, and until we are long past our time, I want you to know your daddy loves you very much.
Now you must know a few things that otherwise may be misunderstood. When I am cross, it is for good reason and there are lessons to be learned. When I am strict, it is because I am teaching you the importance of limits. When I am obstinate, I am on good authority and protecting you from harm. When I am passing punishment it is for the benefit of your reflection, not a reflection of you.
I will not always know best, and I admit it wholeheartedly. But, I am also no stranger to the years, and sometimes a seed of exploration can sprout a tree of knowledge. I will always water that seed for you and help it see the right amount of sunlight. And one day when you’ve grown, I’ll step back from the garden. Today, however, my hands are yours, and we will grow together.
I love you, son. I will not so easily forget that. Even though a morsel you are, I believe you know it in every hug, kiss, and laugh we share. I promise you I will be supportive through the good and the bad, the difficult and the sad. Sometimes that support will be fashioned tough, but from it we’ll eventually argue with candor and diplomacy.
You’ll always have two large footprints next to yours in the sand. And when the tides have washed mine from sight, I will still be walking beside you.
When you have grown into the person you will one day be, and I am gone, you’ll walk with love and care. You are your daddy’s all, my son, I always will be there.
-Dad
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: iStockPhoto.com
