Reflections on Rose's Fifth Birthday

Many days, I’m helping move kids along from the moment I roll out of bed, and I don’t really slow down from some level of childcare until nearly nine.  I finish the day and my head is just buzzing and I look at Sharon with a dazed expression on my face and say, "What the hell just happened?"  And I look at friends with no kids - their freewheeling, spontaneous lifestyle and (seemingly) scads of disposable income and experience sudden moments of something like envy.

But when things are on, they're on. The magic of a squirly, playful, snuggly little body that squeezes up next to me. Curious little minds and crazy ideas. Instances when I catch a glimpse of something that makes me catch my breath and say, "Wow - is that something that came from me?" Other times, a sudden wonderment - "Is this for real? Me, and this amazing, beautiful little creature? And I'm her...daddy?"  Moments I would be content to capture and relive for eternity. On a daily basis.

Daddyhood: The toughest job you'll ever love.

And now - a quick step back: I look at Rose at age 5 and there's so many things to like.  Permit me to take a moment to congratulate myself.  "Way to go so far, man. Way to go."