Happy Birthday, 2012...!

My darling Nick,

You take karate, you're learning to swim. You can write your name and no other kid at your school can. You're a squishy delicious cuddle-bunny, a human Teddy bear, a brave, contrary, smart, exasperating, funny, frustrating, beautiful, loving, stubborn, gorgeous human being. You're my son, my firstborn, my only boy. You came into my arms seven years ago tonight. Seven years have gone by in the blink of an eye. We looked each other in the eye that night, right in the eye and only seconds old!, and so many times since then. We still find each other in the night sometimes, and I wrap myself around you and you bury your face in my neck, and I become drunk with a love that words cannot do justice. I feel like I've aged 21 years, while you've aged a little over two. It hasn't been easy, kid, God knows if he exists--but am I a richer man for having you in my life, am I a better person? There is no doubt. The day of your birth has been an ongoing gift to me.

Love,
Dad

An early spring...

Dear Nicky,

I've been remiss about writing for several days now. I'm embarrassed to say I've been a little lazy. Since I last wrote, Mom and I went to San Francisco, where I had a mediocre time; the whole family went to Florida, where we all had a pretty nice time indeed, although you didn't eat much; Mom was away for a whole week for a business seminar; yesterday was Family Fun Day for Stones, where you danced a lot and won a Star Wars playset.

But this afternoon was especially gratifying. And heartwarming. When you came home, we had to go out to mail a card to a friend offering sympathies for the loss of his mother. It was such a nice day that I decided we should go to a park. At this park, some really nice boys totally included you in all their play activities, which included hide and seek, and ring around the rosy. You played with them very well and it was nice to see there are those kinds of kids around. There was also this inclined plastic tunnel that you wanted to ascend. It was initially difficult because you kept slipping, but you would grab the handholds and just keep trying and trying till you succeeded. "I did it!" you exclaimed when you reached the top. Afterward in the car you said, "I had fun!"

I'm so proud of you. I was so happy to witness these simple, small things.

Love,
Dad