Wednesday, June 13, 2007

To My Daughter, On Her Fourth Birthday

Happy birthday princess!

Four years ago today you came into this world. Two weeks past your due date, and you haven't been on time since. But it's okay - you were worth waiting for then, and you're worth waiting for now. Friday the 13th - some consider it unlucky; some would have been apprehensive about their child being born on an "unlucky" day. Not me. I knew it was a sign that you'd be special.

And you are; you and your brother are the most special people in my world. You don't know it now, especially the way the two of you fight, but your big brother will be your (second) biggest champion. He picks on you not because he doesn't like you (although that's what he'll tell you if you ask him...) but because it's in his blood, in his genes. I picked on my sister. Papa picked on his sister. Great-grandpapa would have picked on his sister if he'd had one...

But today... It's all about you. Four years old. Your first year of pre-school is behind you, a year of learning, making new friends, and growing passed by. You've grown and learned so much in that time. Sometimes I'm a little taken aback by just how smart you are; matching your brother in counting games, spelling words, and just plain knowing things. It's hard to realize you're just barely four.

Have fun today, sweetie. I'll be home for dinner (pizza from the local shop, your favorite, of course). We'll play a little longer tonight, I'll relax bedtime rules a little, all for your special day. And always remember that Daddy loves you very much.

And G-d have mercy on the SOB who ever hurts you, because I won't.

5 comments:

Lindsey said...

Happy Birthday! She's lucky to have you and her brother. Though realizing how lucky she is to have a brother may take another 15 years. My son's 2 1/2 and I can't believe how time flies.

RW said...

I remember when I found out. Tell her some southern good vibes are headed her way. :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Pop.

Geez, did you ever think you'd get this old ? I think Einstein had it right about time being relative. When you're young time drags on forever, when you're older decades seem so pass in minutes.

Mike

Jay G said...

lb,

Enjoy it. Enjoy it NOW. Those moments slip away so quickly, before you know it he'll be heading off to school...

Ricky,

Thanks man. And if I remember correctly, it wasn't long after that message that someone was kind enough to take me under his wing and allow me to post my inane scribblings on the intarweb... ;)

Mike,

Tell me about it. My daughter couldn't have been born more than a week or two ago, my son more than a month. And yet, today's his last day of Kindergarten. I'm afraid to blink, because before I know it he'll he heading off to college (but not before wrecking my car, I'm sure...)

As far as getting this old, I'm dealing with the consequences of living like I wouldn't live this long every day, when I spend 45 minutes to an hour torturing myself on the treadmill, rower, and stationary bike... Had I known I was going to get this old I'd have taken better care of myself when I was younger... ;)

BobG said...

"And G-d have mercy on the SOB who ever hurts you, because I won't."

Spoken like a true father or uncle.