I’ve always considered myself blessed, or lucky, or both when it came to my family. Somehow, after all the silly things I’ve done in my life, after all the mistakes and missteps, I’ve ended up having the most awesome 3 daughters a Dad could wish for, and an equally amazing wife. How this all happened, I’m not totally sure.

But I know they’re always there for me, no matter what comes around the corner, or what has already happened in the past.

Yet it wasn’t until this morning that I really, truly realized how fortunate I am to have them all in my life.

Yes I know, you can file this under Sappy Post Time, but it’s true.

As Neil Gaiman mentions here in a Father’s Day post, I’ve learned more from being a father than anything else I’ve done–and the ride is just getting started.  I’m learning to find new ways to acquire patience when there doesn’t seem to be any around, new ways to listen, new ways to make pancakes. And as I look toward the future, I must say it can be a scary and daunting thing to contemplate. How to let my girls grow up safely? How to keep them from making bad choices in a dark world? How to protect them?

I know there’s no right answer to any of those questions–it’s all trial by fire. I hope they’ll be able to run across the bed of coals without falling. And knowing this doesn’t make the prospect of raising 3 girls any easier, let me tell you.

But for now, as they’re young and innocent and still love to give their Dad hugs and kisses and cuddles, I think I’ll stop worrying about the future so much and just enjoy the present. Enjoy the little drawings left around the house and the giggles and laughter. Enjoy the quiet moments while they watch Disney movies and colour. And even enjoy  the tantrums and crying–for when those are gone, and they’re off to school and shopping at the mall or hanging with their friends instead of their parents, the house will surely become more quiet. And as much as a quieter house sounds appealing, I’m not totally convinced yet that it’d be a good thing.

I can’t wait to come home from the day jobbe tonight and hear them yell “Daddy!” and listen to them stampede toward me, armed with those big welcome home hugs.

Those hugs make any horrific day turn golden.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 6th, 2009 at 11:56 am and is filed under Family. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.