It is a quiet Saturday night...

[WilliamPitt]

...and a segment of the nation is celebrating lethal weaponry a month after 20 children were slaughtered in a hail of gunfire, and two days from now a Black Democrat who never served in the military will swear the oath for his second term as President of the United States in defiance of 400 ruthless years of history, and a bunch of hostages are dead in an Algerian bloodbath, and it appears we will survive the debt ceiling fiasco and maybe cobble together meaningful immigration reform that won't punish people for being brown, and no one knows where or when the next drone strike will happen or why, and a dear friend is in the hospital after suffering a catastrophic brain injury, but while we assumed he was lost he decided to be found and came out of it to our collective joy, and the seas are rising and the storms are worsening, but more people seem to be realizing that we are passengers here and not owners, and there is so much bad but so much good...

...and in ten weeks, I am going to be a father.

I am not afraid.

I just want to do it right in the midst of this astonishing maelstrom. I don't know how to do that, but I will figure it out.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

[csziggy]

1. You will definitely figure it out!

It's the people who have children without thinking about it or worrying how they will cope that get it wrong.

I expect you and your wife will be awesome parents!

[WCGreen]

2. One of your best posts, Will....

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Your words bring my tears, my dear Will...

[bunnies]

4. When intelligent, caring people become parents...

it gives me great hope for our future. Thanks for posting this Will. Ya done my heart good today.
Congratulations on your little one! I admire your strength. I'd be scared shitless!

[Ellipsis]

5. ...

Last edited Sat Jan 19, 2013, 09:52 PM - Edit history (1)

"sublime pondering" ...another of my favorite flavors.



Nothing better then "on the job training"

[immoderate]

6. I had some friends who claimed they were "the perfect parents."

And I won't bother relating the discussion that that inspired.

But I later asked a child psychologist friend what the result would be if someone actually were a "perfect parent."

Her reaction, "They would create a carbon copy of themselves."

What sane person could stand that?

Mazel tov to you and your wife. I know you'll figure it (something) out.

--imm

[peacebird]

10. I knew many would be "perfect parents", we were humbled by the reality of actually BEING parents...

It is easy to say what you will do and to say how perfect you will be as a parent, especially when you have no children.

Once you actually have kids, the "perfection" plan falls apart, and we do the best we can. We all try to be the best parents, and we are the best we can be, but perfect? No.

I fell far short, though I tried my level best.

[MuseRider]

7. Love and common sense will guide you.

Nobody knows what they are doing when that little, squirmy, pink little person is placed in their arms. It will come to you quite naturally.

About the future I have no idea, but as long as you raise your child up well you will have less to worry about.

[greatauntoftriplets]

8. LOL.

As I type this, the baby from next door is crying. He has very powerful lungs!

You'll do fine. Just 10 weeks to go.

Signed: greataunt of nine!

[GeorgeGist]

9. Just saying ...

[11 Bravo]

11. I wish nothing but the best for our country and our planet, but trust me, brother ...

the "father" bit will trump everything else. It first happened for me 20 years ago, and life has been fraught with more meaning (and more sleepless nights) ever since.
I know you're going to be one Hell of a Dad, Will!
Enjoy the ride.

[wandy]

12. "and in ten weeks, I am going to be a father." I think you will find....

That all of the worlds problems pail in comparison to that three AM feeding.
"Honey baby's crying"
Changing diapers makes dealing with tea baggers look pleasant.
"Honey baby's crying"
I'm afraid to touch it. I might break one of those little parts.
"Honey baby's crying"
Gun control? Hows about cubbard control. Whoops, forgot I put a latch on that cabinet!
"Honey baby's crying"

Been their Done that.
Wouldn't change it for the world.

The best to you and yours.

and less I forget.....
"Honey baby's crying"

[maddiemom]

13. Robert Frost's "Stopping By Woods..." a long time favorite in my Mom's side

of the family, in which there are a number of published writers, although no one very famous. We read it at my mom's funeral last year, She'd made it to 91. Just always a soothing quote. Best wishes to you and your wife in parenthood.

[UtahLib]

14. You brought tears to my eyes.

I've read many of your posts and beleive you to be a considerate, compassionate and intelligent person. These are very necessary attributes for a parent. Oh, and don't ever lose the sense of humor as that may be the most important ingredient of all.

[Chorophyll]

15. You're going to be great.

And you're going to make mistakes. But mostly, you're going to be great. And we will all welcome a brand new liberal into the fold.

[Hekate]

16. The birth of a baby is always and always...

... the eternal cry "Yes!" Yes to hope, yes to love, yes to the future.

Best wishes to you Will, your wife, your little one to be

Hekate

[Phlem]

18. The Best Joy One Can Ever Receive.

The from the bottom of my heart, the very best to you. It's the best ever, I promise.

-p

[alp227]

19. Will, here's a song for you!