Each Moment of Being a Dad is a Lifetime

Kyra is my oldest.  Today she turns five and is preparing to enter Kindergarten.  Just yesterday I was watching her birth. 

The hospital insisted that we stay the night and I couldn’t get enough of fatherhood. I stayed with my little girl in the nursery and they trained me on changing diapers and proper washing.  I had no clue.  I gently wiped the sponge across her like she was a ’67 Mustang knowing my long-time friends were laughing in the background wondering how is the “Stoic Steve” going handle having a daughter.

Did I mention that Kyra is my oldest child and tomorrow she is about to graduate from high school?

One lesson that both my kids have taught me is the importance of practicing the enjoyment of each brief moment with them.  Each one is different but will never happen again exactly the same way but for a Dad, it is hard not to see the whole story all at once.   It is how we are wired to look at things.

Considering that on this present day she is only five years old and while she has developed very quickly from day one she is not ready for the pressures of leadership.   The other day both had just finished their baths.  I got distracted for moment and heard the screen door close.   I ran downstairs and gave chase to find that Kyra had dressed herself and her sister had not but was following her to the park.  It was a moment that had I put on camera I could use against them later in life.   One day I might be the grandparent who can humble them in front of their own kids and this would have done the trick.

In the first moment I was embarrassed that I turned my head for a minute and this whole thing happened, then I worried if the neighbors saw this then in the moment that followed I was proud of my daughters.   It turns out that Kyra was eager to go play with someone who from her looks and demeanor wasn’t too happy.   Kyra wanted to offer her food and toys to play with.  I can’t read more into that than I should, I really don’t know the situation well and I didn’t recognize her new friend.  Alexa just wanted to participate. 

I also know that Kyra is very quick on her feet when it comes to making adjustments to the story.  So I remained objective and on the next to the last moment chose a positive view followed by just laughing at the whole thing.  Then I had a talk Kyra about what happened.    It was my fault they got away from me so I was not mad, but I asked her for help, and in the last moment we reached an understanding.

They are still innocent and their heads are not filled with the complicated stuff adults think about. They are free and generous spirits, Dad’s try to teach them how to make the most of it, preferable with their clothes on.

One day she might read this and understand that on her day of becoming five years old and experiencing a real milestone, I am thinking of how all three of my girls, my wife and two daughters, are so very strong, protective, and wise and that as a teacher by profession I am being schooled by them and it will take a lifetime to get this degree.  However I will not admit this until they are old enough to use Google to find this blog post and read it. 

This could be tomorrow.