Happy birthday, Dad! I've never been one to favor Daddy, father, papa, etc. I know you're half-way around the world but you're always close to my heart.
I'm proud of you. Hell, I'm proud to be your son. So much so that I've intentionally molded myself to be a direct reflection of you but not be a clone. Imitation is the finest form of flattery. I am the man I am today because of your parenting with Mom. I hope you know that.
And if I ever find myself in a situation that I'm interacting with children, whether they are strangers or friend's (girlfriend), I launch into a parenting type of role, because that's what you would do. As an adult, I've learned that it's my responsibility perhaps obligation to parent.
What do I mean by the term parenting / parent?
I mean be like you. A family first type of man. And family is defined by how I designate so that blood and marriage not the only parameters. To be the best co-worker, friend, partner, brother and son I could possibility me. To value team and group work, because you'll always need someone's else help in the long journey of life. To understand that if you can help someone that you should because in your darkest hours perhaps that help will come to you (it might not) To be loving, caring, understanding, patient, tolerant, kind, courteous, thoughtful, brave, courageous, always striving for the win (solution) but accepting of the loss, leveraging my strengths yet minimizing my weaknesses, let diplomacy, and decorum preside over hostile confrontations but be ready to fight for what's right or fair, realizing that I am a small cog in the machine of life so my actions may seem insignificant have an impact in the community, social circle, or village I live in, and so much more.
Last weekend I encountered a perfect example. Sonja (aka Sony, Cher's youngest daughter) looked up at my panoramic framed photograph of the Seattle skyline. She then looked at me, and asked
S: "Los, why don't you like the Big Wheel (ferris wheel)?"
C: Gotta love kids, their no-bullshit, laser-point communication is refreshing conversation to have every once in awhile. "Sony, lemme elaborate on my opinion about that."
Without skipping a beat, and jumping on my next sentence - S: "What's elaborate?"
C: "It means to give more detail."
S: "Why didn't say that first?"
C: "Point for Sony. Know my audience. To continue, when I was your age of 9, grew up the next 30 years knowing this *I point to my photograph* as the Seattle skyline. The Big Wheel simply doesn't belong in my memories. Does that make sense?"
S: "Yes, it makes sense, Los. I think it opened in 2012."
C: I didn't know myself, so I said, "I'll trust you as I don't know either way."
We search for the established date, and she was right, June 29th 2012. "Well, look at you June 29th 2012 it is. High-five me."
S: "That's my birthday month."
C: "Yep, can you tell me how long ago was the anniversary for the Seattle Big Wheel?"
S: She pauses.
C: "Tell you what, I'll help..."
That pretty much paints the picture I'm wanting to deliver. So, Dad, thank you for being all that you are, all the time. Happy birthday!
Love,
Your son.
I'm proud of you. Hell, I'm proud to be your son. So much so that I've intentionally molded myself to be a direct reflection of you but not be a clone. Imitation is the finest form of flattery. I am the man I am today because of your parenting with Mom. I hope you know that.
And if I ever find myself in a situation that I'm interacting with children, whether they are strangers or friend's (girlfriend), I launch into a parenting type of role, because that's what you would do. As an adult, I've learned that it's my responsibility perhaps obligation to parent.
What do I mean by the term parenting / parent?
I mean be like you. A family first type of man. And family is defined by how I designate so that blood and marriage not the only parameters. To be the best co-worker, friend, partner, brother and son I could possibility me. To value team and group work, because you'll always need someone's else help in the long journey of life. To understand that if you can help someone that you should because in your darkest hours perhaps that help will come to you (it might not) To be loving, caring, understanding, patient, tolerant, kind, courteous, thoughtful, brave, courageous, always striving for the win (solution) but accepting of the loss, leveraging my strengths yet minimizing my weaknesses, let diplomacy, and decorum preside over hostile confrontations but be ready to fight for what's right or fair, realizing that I am a small cog in the machine of life so my actions may seem insignificant have an impact in the community, social circle, or village I live in, and so much more.
Last weekend I encountered a perfect example. Sonja (aka Sony, Cher's youngest daughter) looked up at my panoramic framed photograph of the Seattle skyline. She then looked at me, and asked
S: "Los, why don't you like the Big Wheel (ferris wheel)?"
C: Gotta love kids, their no-bullshit, laser-point communication is refreshing conversation to have every once in awhile. "Sony, lemme elaborate on my opinion about that."
Without skipping a beat, and jumping on my next sentence - S: "What's elaborate?"
C: "It means to give more detail."
S: "Why didn't say that first?"
C: "Point for Sony. Know my audience. To continue, when I was your age of 9, grew up the next 30 years knowing this *I point to my photograph* as the Seattle skyline. The Big Wheel simply doesn't belong in my memories. Does that make sense?"
S: "Yes, it makes sense, Los. I think it opened in 2012."
C: I didn't know myself, so I said, "I'll trust you as I don't know either way."
We search for the established date, and she was right, June 29th 2012. "Well, look at you June 29th 2012 it is. High-five me."
S: "That's my birthday month."
C: "Yep, can you tell me how long ago was the anniversary for the Seattle Big Wheel?"
S: She pauses.
C: "Tell you what, I'll help..."
That pretty much paints the picture I'm wanting to deliver. So, Dad, thank you for being all that you are, all the time. Happy birthday!
Love,
Your son.
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