Posted by
Virginia Daddy on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 5:31:27 PM
My screen name is Virginia Daddy, and these are the boys. This picture was taken a few months ago, but I get a kick out of it. And now that I have figured out how to post the darn things, I thought I'd share this. On the right is James, and the left is Gus (short for August). This was about bed time, and they had gotten out of the bath, and we put Gus in his crib to tend to James. James decided it would be fun to climb the side of Gus' crib to climb into it, so he is actually standing on the side, using it as a ladder. He never made it in, but it was really fun to watch.
Now, I love my kids, and my family-- they are truly special. But you know, it is neat to watch kids grow, and how they interact. My two boys are about 15 months apart. Already they are great friends, and getting competitive now that Gid can fight back, and I can't wait to watch them grow up together. And I do not know what it'll be like to have them shun me and mom for friends and girls and sports and whatever, but I do know how cool it is now. I have a feeling I am going to greatly miss these days when they absolutely adore me and mom. I guess I have to be sure to take it in now because everyone tells me in a flash.... their gone and married and living on their own.
Ahh, but now, we can really only live for now, and only now to prepare for tomorrow. And right now I love every (well most every) moment with them. I can't wait to look back at the time when James cries when we leave Gus in a different nursery at church but could care less if we leave him-- its his brother he wants to be with; or when Gus mimicks everything his brother does, and laughs about it, and so does his brother. I look forward to a time when these moments, ever passing, seem like a dream, a wonderful dream. I can't wait to see them grown and share these moments with them, because that'll mean they have grown into wonderful young men.
This is a great responsibility, and quite frankly, it scares the heck out of me. Raising kids in today's world present problems never before seen. While I know each generation has had new problems, its different when they are your kids. And for now, I am so happy they are not girls-- so much extra to worry about with them (and not sure what I'd do with one). But, here, I pledge to be there, and to do my best for them and for my wife. I pledge to be an example to other fathers, as fatherhood almost seems a lost art. Mistakes will be made, as they certainly already have been (why do they get hurt more often when with me?), but the pledge is to teach them to fear God, love and respect mom (and women), and be responsible adults.
I ask prayers for me, and for all fathers, new and old, to be the best men we can be to those who matter most: our wives and kids. If we do that first, I believe the rest will take care of itself. Thank you all.