Random 3-17-2014

Tomorrow it will have been one week since my little man passed from this world.  I miss him so much already and I know to some of you that may seem a little absurd.  Perhaps you've never experienced the joy of parenthood, or more specifically, fatherhood or is it something else entirely?  Regardless, I know the joys of parenthood are two sided.  God created everything with an opposite to keep balance and order to the universe.  Light has day, few has many, white to black, love to hate, and sadly, life to death.  So it only stands to reason that individuals who love children and the prospect of raising a family, such as myself, would have an opposite.  To counter me, there is someone out there with a strong disdain for children.  They would not like to see them develop and the mere thought of child birth and pregnancy is so repugnant it physically makes them sick.  It is to those individuals now that I direct this particular blog post towards.  I'm not trying to dissuade you from your ways or tell you that you are wrong in any sense.  I only want to you to make an informed decision.  I do not know your experiences in life but I know life goes on.  Maybe you had a terrible or life altering childhood experience that grew into a burning itch of loathing for children.  We cannot dwell long on things of the past because they are done and gone.  (FYI, this is not in reference to my late son at all.  I will never forget him.)  Temporal things, meaning things we cannot take with us when we cross over into Heavenly glory, or the next life (whatever your beliefs may be), are vain and just what it says..............temporal.  We need to concentrate on things that are lasting and impressionable.  We are constantly watched by people who look up to us and learn from our examples, people who wish to emulate our behaviors and style of living.  Yes, you have your agency, or freedom to choose what you will, but know that you are a beacon of hope for someone, whether you acknowledge it or not.  So you can dwell in your past and let it dictate the course of your future.  Sit in the back and watch where life takes you or grab the wheel and control your own destiny and fate.  I am a driver, not a passenger, and certainly not someone on the sidewalk that watches as life passes me by without so much as a second thought.  I'm not saying you are but that's my spiel and I'm sticking to it.  Of course, it could be something so simple as you wanting to succeed in life before introducing another life into the world.  I know of several people who are just waiting for the "right time" to raise a family.  I'm a firm believer in "being ready."  As a proud father of six children though I can tell that there is no such thing.  You can be better suited but you will never be ready.  Here's the skinny on me in short.  I'm now 31 and a half years old, have six children, a beautiful wife, a mortgage, minimal and manageable debt (for sanity and financial responsibility), a job with huge potential and promise. Understand though that nothing could have prepared for the news of impending fatherhood.  Truth be told, I wasn't in a great situation.  The only thing I had going for me was the beautiful woman, who, luckily for me, is still the same woman now.  Comically, I had more hair then and was "in" shape rather than "a" shape.  LOL.  Saying that still cracks me up.  Back to the post at hand now.  For those types of people the whole aspect of parenting is the challenge.  How ready can you get before you decide it's time?  Then there's the people who just let life happen.  It's been my experience that these people are the happiest all the time.  They have no expectations therefore have no true disappointments.  Sure they have their bad days but we all do right?  Of course!  If these individuals find themselves in a relationship and love decides to get involved, or perhaps lust, and a baby is the result of that action then whoopee for them.  Life has presented them with yet another opportunity to achieve bliss.  If you find you are of this type then maybe your time just hasn't come yet.  Be patient.  Happiness awaits.  What if what's holding you back from wanting children is the sheer fear of the unexpected.  To you I say.....JUMP.  Hold your breath, hold your form, and jump.  Parenting is bliss and it's well worth it.  I really don't have more to say because life has thrown me a curve ball and I've lost my train of thought.  If you have children now ask yourself this and be sincere and true to yourself.  You're the only one who really knows how you feel so don't deny the truth.  Is there really, honestly, anything in the world you would trade for one or all of your children?  I love my family to the extent of being at a loss for words.  I would not trade them for anything..........ever!!  Sure, I could have done things better, said something differently, or taken a different approach but all of it led me to here....and now.  That's where I'm at.  I'm at NOW.  NOW I have a beautiful, kind, and nurturing wife and mother to my kids.  NOW I am a father with great children with immense potential for themselves and the world.  NOW I am a role model for others and beacon of hope.  NOW is the time for me to be alive. NOW is what's happening.  Plan for the future but live for NOW.  Love your family, your friends, and your life.  Our time here on Earth is short and full of surprises, not all of them good, so tap into the full potential of NOW and embrace the possibility of greatness within and throughout.  I've gone on many tangents here but I want to end with this bit.  You are an amazing person.  You are full of potential.  You are loved.  You are respected.  You are held in high esteem by people you know and maybe don't.  You can do whatever you truly set your mind to and you are the only obstacle that lies in the way of your amazing life.  Look inside yourself, realize your dreams, work for them, and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you're awesome when you achieve them.  Have a great day all of you.  Make the decision not to let anything get you down, no matter how great or small.  Nothing in life is insignificant and everything is a step towards supreme glory.  Love yourself and know that God loves you more.