Fatherhood

Sunshine streaming through hazy clouds, the day was halfway over by the time he walked into the room. His wife was deep in labor, ready to present her new child to the world. He wasn't ready though, or at least he didn't think so. The contractions came quicker and quicker, until soon a small baby drew its first breath and screamed out his name. It wasn't Dad the tiny thing said, but it might as well have been, because he rushed to the doctor's side to see this new arrival into his already busy world.

Time slowed to a crawl, and a smile creased his tired face. He was drunk with happiness, beyond anything he had ever experienced. Toes and fingers were quickly counted, and he worried over every little inch, no matter that the child was perfect in every way. He finally got to hold this tiny treasure, with more care than anything he had ever touched before. He almost trembled in careful agony, afraid he would screw it up and yet so sure he never wanted to put his little boy down. He walked to his beautiful wife's side and presented her with their son. Despite the fact that she had done all the work, he regretted giving up the child, if only because he was still reeling from the wonderful feelings of having him in his arms.

She beamed alongside him, tired but exquisitely blissful in her joy over the birth of her son. She also held the treasure before her carefully, seemingly much more confident than he felt inside. He was proud of her, and prouder still of the life they had created together. He took note of every aspect of their faces, every little crinkle in his son's nose, the soft feel of his child's bare skin. So began fatherhood for him, the most challenging task he would ever accept willingly.

The above is perhaps a slightly exaggerated telling of how I became a father, but then again, maybe its not too exaggerated. My first child's birth was the best day I've ever had, and the birth of my second was just as wonderful. There really are not words to properly describe the experience, but that doesn't mean we don't try anyway. Hopefully these words celebrate the memory rather than abuse it.