Humble And Kind

You know there's a lot that goes by the front door
Don't forget the keys under the mat
Childhood stars shine, always stay humble and kind
Go to church 'cause your momma says to
Visit grandpa every chance that you can
It won't be a waste of time
Always stay humble and kind

Hold the door say please say thank you
Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie
I know you got moutains to climb but
Always stay humble and kind
When the dreams you're dreamin' come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride but
Always stay humble and kind

Don't expect a free ride from no one
Don't hold a grudge or a chip and here's why
Bitterness keeps you from flying
Always stay humble and kind
Know the difference between sleeping with someone
And sleeping with someone you love
I love you ain't no pick up line so
Always stay humble and kind

Hold the door say please say thank you
Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie
I know you got moutains to climb but
Always stay humble and kind
When those dreams you're dreamin' come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride but
Always stay humble and kind

When it's hot, eat a root beer, a popsicle
Shut off the AC and roll the windows down
Let that summer sun shine
Always stay humble and kind
Don't take for granted the love this life gives you
When you get where you're goin'
Don't forget turn back around
Help the next one in line
Always stay humble and kind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awzNHuGqoMc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awzNHuGqoMc

My Modus Operandi For You

I first posted this on Facebook a few months before you were born, Violet.  It is, remains, and always will be my promise to you.

When I was first asked about how I felt about you being in my life, I replied (as trite as it sounds) that you would be a complete blessing; but you always have been of course.  The real question that bodes is whether I was ready for you.

For a long time, I could not answer that question definitively.  But before I could answer that, there were questions I needed to answer for myself.  I worked for a long time and very hard to answer this for myself, and eventually for you.

This world can be an overwhelming place;  nothing ever goes by plan and in my time here I've encountered times that I've found difficult to navigate; there is unbelievable hardship, pain, and tears involved...

....bu there is also so much joy, happiness, and laughter here as well.

Your mother and I have always been penchants for adventure, whether it's jumping on planes to explore faraway places, or just being in the same room, spending time together, and have a world open up right in front of us.

I'm beyond elation that you're on your way to join us in this adventure; there are so many things I want to teach you, and I'm just as excited about the things you're going to teach me.

For all the joy, happiness, and laughter, I will be here to laugh and smile next to you...and for all the hardship and pain, I'll be here to hold you and wipe away your tears.

Love,
Dad

Valentine's Day 2019

Dear Violet,

I've been really bad at writing to you on a regular basis, but I hope to turn that around as soon as possible.

There are so many memories of you that have happened since I last wrote you.  You continue to grow and evolve.  You're 31 months now, 2 and a half years old, and while still our baby, you are very much a little girl.  More about your growth and your life as I write to you more.  This letter is about something just as important as you.

This Valentine's Day, we're not able to be together as a family.  Your Mom is on her way back from class in San Mateo as she works towards her Bachelors in Nursing, en route to a CRNA license.  I'm currently at work in Station 6, in my first of 3 days in the firehouse; and you are currently at Hiddenbrooke spending with your Lola Betty on Valentine's Day.  Such is life at this stage for us right now; we can't be together, and that's going to happen from time to time; but my love for you and your mother grows fonder every day, especially in times like this when we can't be together.

I want to tell you just how much I love your mother and how much I appreciate her.  I don't tell her that enough, and I probably don't demonstrate it to her the way she'd like me to, but I do....with every iota of my body and soul

In the time just before I met her, I went through a lot of pain and healing;  a lot of self discovery, and a lot of growing up.  It's not an uncommon story as you'll find out as you grow older, but this one is mine.  That pain.....that healing...that growing.....it was necessary..... and it allowed me to find your mother and see her for who she is.  It allowed me to have the courage to project my true self.

I don't hurt, but I am scarred;  I don't forget where I came from, yet I try not to look back...because that's not where I plan on going.

I haven't had the time to reflect on the recent past with much introspect lately.  I know from trial and error, that doing that is key to keeping myself not only grounded in truth, but it's also a key to me living on my life's edge where my real purpose lies, where I hold my deepest realization.

As a result, you and your mother haven't been getting the best version of me.  It sucks to say that, because the best of me is what I demand of myself, and I'm committed to the both of you to deliver my best self.

Your mother and I have had some recent friction with regards to that.  She and I don't always see eye to eye, but we have the same goals, even if we differ in what we think is the best way to get there. 

Yet I love her none the less, and I appreciate her, because not only does she challenge me to be better man, she affords me the opportunity to nurture and take care of her, to take care of you.  It is one of my deepest realizations to be her partner and to be your father.

I'm just like anyone else trying to make do, succeeding and failing at the same time; trying to be strong, wise, unswerving in dedication and direction.  I have no choice but to stretch my limits further, becoming the person I am not sure I can be...But I must, and somehow in these past few years, I've weathered the challenges - though not unscathed, I can assure you of that.  I have failed, I have succeeded, and in the final analysis, I have survived; shaken not stirred; and tomorrow is another day; another palate to paint something of worth to me and those in my life, especially you and your mother.

Happy Valentine's Day sweetheart...I love you and your mother to the moon and back.

Love,
Dad