Well… it turns out we are moving back to Denver on the 30th of June. Therefore I will be in the middle of packing, arranging the move, and job hunting for the next two weeks. I will try and pop in with comments and updates, but I doubt I will have much of substance to say.
So it may be a while before you see me again. I will be back though, so don’t go too far.
Monthly Archives: June 2008
Daddy(ies)
To the man who always stood by me through all my poor choices and heartbreak. The man who made my fear of his sneezes into a game, and used to take me in Beowulf to raise hell.
Thank you for teaching me to howl at the moon, for showing me that good fights are always worth fighting, and that sometimes just a little bit of kindness can change a person’s life.
Thank you for getting me ballet shoes when I wanted to dance, singing lessons when I wanted to sing, and acting lessons when I wanted to act. Thank you for teaching me how to play chess, and putting up with me when I made up my own rules.
Thank you for always believing in my dreams, no matter how challenging or far fetched they seemed at the time. Your faith in me kept me going when nothing else could. It never occurred to me to doubt my abilities because you always believed in them.
You have been a wonderful father, and the best friend I could ask for. There is nothing more I could have wanted. You taught me what to look for in my partner, so my own children could have a wonderful father too. I have always known how lucky I am to have you, and I continue to know it.
Thank you so much for all your years of care and comfort. I can’t wait to get home to you and back to our regularly scheduled coffees.
You took fatherhood like a duck to water. Our kids adore you. You are kind, generous, silly, and loving.
I will never forget how willingly you entered into parenting. You read “Secrets of the Baby Whisperer” and “Parenting with Love and Logic”. You developed strategies and techniques for us to use in raising smart and happy children. You were an active participant in our family from day one, and you have been fully involved ever since.
There are moments that I witness, little vignettes out of time, that I think on when someone asks me if you are a good father;
You and Otter snuggled up watching NOVA together.
You and Monkey sharing in Dirty Jobs and Good Eats.
You and Monkey playing chase at the playground.
You throwing Otter up in the air and saying “Hello sir.” when he comes over to see you.
I am proud to be your wife and thrilled that we decided to do this together. I could not find a better partner, and I am so happy that I get to live my life with you. I love you so much honey. Happy Father’s Day.
Standing up instead of standing by…
Monkey won an award yesterday for standing up to a bully.
Apparently a second grader named Dillon was pushing her friend Anthony in the back and she got up in his face and told him to quit. Her friend Jasmine backed her up.
The school, which has a zero tolerance for bullies policy, gave her a stuffed tiger at an awards ceremony, with the ribbon on it that says “Stand up citizens don’t stand by.”
She is very proud of herself, as are we. Actually, I am incredibly proud of her, as it is hard to stand up to a bigger kid when someone small is being pushed around. Our culture is usually more willing to look away, than confront the problem. I am glad my daughter is willing to confront it.
However, now I am thinking I need to get her into some boxing classes, just so she can back herself up, when she once again decides to tell off a bully who is older and bigger than her. If she is anything like me, she will likely be telling bullies off for the rest of her life.
SavvySpoons 