Subj : Being a dad....
To   : Fidonet.DADS
From : Nigel Reed
Date : Sun Feb 21 2021 03:36:14

Is an interesting experience.

When my wife told me she was pregant, I wasn't over enthused. In fact, my
response was a sarcastic "congratulations". I started to think of all the
things I wouldn't be able to do any more like play loud music, go to the bar
and come in wasted, and stupid stuff like that. I went to some appointments
and basically did what I needed to do.

As soon as his head popped out, it seemed the like the whole world changed
for. This was my son and I was going to be the best father I could be to him.

My father worked long hours. We was gone to work before the sun came up and
was often home after I had gone to bed. He worked hard to provide for us and
I'll forever be thankful to him for that. I wanted to make sure I was around
and about for him. 

Pop forwards 13 1/2 years and I'm an assistant coach on his hockey team. It's
amazing to see the growth in him. He's always been kind, sensitive, sometimes
overly so. Yet he's in there, battling for the puck and doing his best. He's
smart and has been accepted for an alterate high school the district offers
for advanced technical learning and gaining skills for technical jobs. 

My job also allows me to work from home so I can see him in the morning before
he goes to school and I'm here when he gets back. Not that it matters much now
because I'm just in the way of Minecraft or Fortnite lol. But still, he
doesn't ever need to want for attention, love, or affection which, I hope,
will make him a better person and keep him on the straight and narrow as he
grows up.

Ask me 13 1/2 years ago if I wanted to be a father and I'd have said that I wasn't
ready. Ask me now, and I wouldn't change it for the world.

.