Friday, August 26, 2011

Seven

I write this today for my son.

Today you turn seven years old. No doubt you will be bounding everywhere with excitement because at seven years old birthdays are still fun. I am envious of you because you are still so innocent of the trials of the world and also because you will have absolutely no care as to how many calories you will consume.
As your father I am tasked with showing you how to be a good and honourable man who understands the importance of being a man of integrity. This is no small undertaking as I am still in the process of all of that as well. I will continue to do my best.
On this day your mother will be emotional because you are getting older and her baby is growing up. I on the other hand I will be stoic and strong knowing that you will be one more year closer to being able to shovel snow and cut grass.

I am thankful to God for granting me the privilege of helping to mold you. You make it so much fun. As I teach you I am also taught. I am taught more about the Father's love for his creation and his dedication and perseverance with us all.

Today you will receive presents that you have been salivating over for months - I hope you enjoy. My desire for you today though, is that you act your age - be seven today. I wish I was.
I know that you wish to grow quicker and be older but today be seven - as long as you can. Life will get fast enough and there is no turning back.

I look to the future with great anticipation believing that you will grow to become a fine man. But for now just be seven with all the energy that you give to everything.Today be seven and when no one is looking I will act like I am too.

Happy Birthday Bruiser - you bring great joy to my soul - I love you.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

From Sparta with Love

Wow, it has been some time since my last post. I decided to take the summer off because with our relocation and getting settled there was just too much to do.
But here I sit somewhat settled and a great day approaching - back to school day! Soon and very soon the kids are going back to school which also means that the summer is coming to a close. Which also means that another year has ticked by and I have been married another year to a great lady.

Today is the day that fifteen years ago I pulled off the greatest con job of all times!  I was able to get my gal to actually marry me. Believe me and if you know me you will, I married up. I definitely got the better deal. I could write much cliche about our marriage. I could write poetically about my love - I could. I could write mushy gushy things that would make girls go "ahhh" and guys feign vomitting. I could and it would all be true. Instead I will just say that through these last fifteen years Tammy and I have been through some peaks and valleys. We have suffered through devastating times of  grief and loss and celebrated with jubilant hearts much as well. We have lived in three provinces, changed occupations more than a few times and learned much about love and life all along the way. My mind is full of memories that are cherished possessions. I pray that my mind will never falter for to lose these images would be a tragedy of Shakespeareian proportions.

Today I want to say to God - Thank you for your creative genius. Thank you for making Tammy as you have  - with her sense of humour, her quiet strength, her sensitivities, her femininity and her beauty.

Today I want to say to my wife - Life is real and not a fairy tale. There are real hurts and pains in this life. As I grow older I know that I will deal with my share of hurts and pains. If I am honest I will admit that it scares me.  But because I am married to you the fear is lessened and the joy increased. I am a stronger man because of the woman that you are. The love that resides in my heart for you has been forged through real life and real living.

I wish to simply say  - I love you my Spartan Queen.

Song of Songs 8:6,7

Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy as unyeilding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of his house for love,
it would be utterly scorned.