A Wink and A Smile

A post from Dad...

From the time Meredith and I began sharing the great news that she had a bun in the oven, I began to notice a common theme among current parents. Their conveyance of congratulations was quickly followed with "it is the hardest but most rewarding thing you will ever do." This seemed to make sense, but then I detected a slight non-verbal que that made me think. The wry wink and the sly smile given as they uttered this logical statement made me think there was something illogical about the whole situation. I never try to kid myself into thinking something of this magnitude is exactly like I picture it, but I also pride myself on my reflective capacity. I feel that I am a good observer and am able to drawn upon the situations of others to narrow the gap between my mental perception and reality.

I could detail the great parental influence I had growing up and how I feel that will translate into my own style of parenthood, but instead I will turn to a more potent source of influence: TV. Yes, as a child of the late 80's and early 90's, I had two of the greatest fatherhood role models any boy could ask for: Cliff Huxtable and Al Bundy. Ok, maybe one is more what to do and the other is what not to do, but they are both influential nonetheless. The point is that if these two can do it, then why not me. No matter if the little guy turns out to be the fun-loving Theo or the, well, Bud, I will be sure to summon the knowledge I gained from staring absentmindly into the television set as the Huxtables and Bundys lived out their fictional lives.


Another source of inspiration to which I can use to hone my fatherhood skills is my limited exposure to real-life kids. From nephews and nieces to children and siblings of friends, I have gained a small amount of experience that should prove useful. Be it changing a diaper or two or witnessing the exuberence that a 5 year-old can display upon receiving his first bike, I know that there will be plenty of waves in parenthood. Relentless and unpredictable as the may be, I can only hope to surf the crest and avoid the undercurrent as much as possible.

As I continue to talk to parents, they can continue to give advice, and as B-Day approaches, I will increasinly realize parenthood is a club that you only really understand once you join. And I cannot wait to join. Perhaps someday I can look at some stary-eyed father-to-be and tell him it is the hardest thing he will do, but also the most rewarding; with a wry wink and a sly smile of course.