Long Roads, Beautiful Trails: June 2009

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Fatherly Thoughts: My first Father’s Day!

I must admit. My first Father’s Day was a
little anticlimactic. I was out of town on a writing assignment and missed out on the festivities. You seemed to be pretty understanding about it. Thanks for your patience. I know this is a little late, but I just had to write about how excited I am to be a Dad. What a blessing!

There were those days when I didn’t know if I’d ever get to be a Dad, and now I’m blessed with a wonderful daughter. You’re growing and changing so much every day.

You and your mother got me a great Father’s Day gift. It’s a copy of “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters.” It’s a great read so far. I’ve been plugging away on it and learning all kinds of cool stuff about being a good dad. What a great responsibility it is to be a Dad. I’m reading more and more about the important role a father plays on a child.

I know that my dad — your Pe Pa — played an important role in my life. He went on to heaven more than four years ago. I wish you could have met him. He definitely would have loved to have met you. He was a Godly man. He taught me a lot about living out my faith and what it means to be a man. I included a photo of him and your Me Ma when they went to see my brother and his family in Kenya years ago.

I still can hear his voice when I’m singing hymns in church or when he used to call me “Shawner.” I remember how we used to throw the football around in the yard. I also remember him reading the Bible every night before he went to bed. He had a tremendous influence on my life, and I want to do the same for you. I want you to grow up to be a Godly young woman who stands up for your faith and values. I’ll do my best to teach you what I can.

Hopefully, you won’t pick up too many bad habits along the way. I know I have a few. Maybe you’ll grow up to be a big football fan like your mom and dad -- Go Rams! Your mother would prefer you to be a Steelers fan ... but we'll see about that.

Either way, thanks Laura for being such a blessing in our lives.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Fatherly thoughts: Sick days happen

I didn't believe it at first.

When a coworker told me you had a high fever and were being taken to the doctor, I thought it was a joke. He said your mother had called while I was away from my desk. After I asked if he was really serious, he said he'd never joke about something like that. At that point I believed him, but I was still surprised.

So far we have been pretty blessed that you haven't gotten so much as a sniffle since we returned to our house from Colombia more than 6 months ago. Your mother and I also have tried not to worry too much about germs and sanitizers, mopping and constantly cleaning every inch of the house to avoid germs.

Germs happen.

Kids get sick ... usually a lot. That's how they build up their immune system, and we're well aware that it's going to happen. And this week it did.

You came down with an ear infection and Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. Or is it foot, mouth and lip? Or is it elbow, eyelid and toe? Daddy can't keep up with it. First off, the name sounds absolutely horrible. Could doctors not come up with something a little better for a common illness that children get? Could they not make the name just a little more ... well ... kid friendly? It sounds like something right up there with Mad Cow Disease or something else started by barnyard animals. Don't even get me started with the whole Swine Flu fiasco?

Anyway, it sounds like something you wouldn't want to get within a 100-mile radius of.

So when I got home that day, you -- my little dynamo who is usually singing, babbling and making your 50th climb up the stairs or remodeling the living room with toys -- were sitting quietly on your mother's lap. You were just sitting there, staring at Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network. You looked totally whooped. I picked you up and all you wanted to do was lay your head on my shoulder. As much as I enjoyed it, that's totally not you.

That night, things only spiraled down hill as the sores in your throat got worse. None of us slept much that night. Pretty much all you could get down was medicine, a Popsicle and a little ice cream ... Hearing you make that crunch sound as you bit into the Popsicle was priceless. We were just relieved to be getting some fluids into you since you wouldn't take your bottle.

The whole thing made your mother and I feel pretty helpless.

We know there will be those times when you will experience sickness and pain. We'll pray you through it and support you the best we can. Sometimes prayer is all we can do ... but it's definitely one of the best things we can do for you.

The good news is that your back to business as usual -- doing all of the climbing, crawling and babbling that you normally do. Although snugly and quiet has its benefits, we much prefer a healthy Laura ... even if that means you're working our living room like a hurricane. Laura, not the stairs again!