"It’s hard to describe the choked up teary eyed swell of love and shaky adrenaline you experience witnessing your first child transform from a stomach bump into a little being. You’re mesmerized by their little sounds and movements for hours. Its like staring at the northern lights, lightning storms, ocean waves smashing cliffs, the most epic sunrise/sunset you’ve ever seen, or a yard full of puppies." ~ Tommy Shallue
My son wrote those words after experiencing the birth of his own baby boy earlier this week, just in time to celebrate Father's Day today. I felt he described the magic of becoming a parent so well that I asked permission to share his thoughts on here.
I remember as if it were yesterday the overwhelming sense of awe and love I felt holding him for the first time (my son), falling into the infinite depths of his eyes and knowing for certain there was a God.
And now our son is a father. Our firstborn, who transformed me into a mom and Tom into a dad 32 years ago, has transformed us once again, into grandparents.
Witnessing my first child cradle his own first child on that first day of his birth, gazing at him with wonder and love, filled me with joyous pride and peace. I sensed that something had clicked into place. A baton had been passed and I knew it was in good, steady, strong hands.
He's going to be an awesome Daddy. No. Correction. He already is an awesome Daddy.
But then, he comes from a long line of awesome Daddies. In honor of Father's Day, here's a repeat of an old post, featuring his dad and two granddads, who showed him the answer to this question...
What does a father do?
A father gives advice
A father nourishes the body
and the soul
A father encourages
A father is joyful
A father reads
A father lends a hand
A father plays
A father offers support
A father sticks close by your side
A father makes memories
A father teaches
A father laughs
A father is gallant
A father proves age is just a number
A father reaches out
A father hangs on tight
A father dances
A father helps you aim high
A father shows pride
A father sets a good example to follow
A father relaxes
A father listens
A father teaches you how to play fair
A father helps out
A father loves
A father experiences awe
He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.
~Clarence Budington Kelland
Happy Father's Day!
