41

Today, I’m 41 and…

Life is good.  It really is.

There have been….

Twists.  Turns. Ups. Downs.

….and everything in between.

But the fact remains.  Life is good.

The journey continues to be exciting and I’ve gotta admit…tiring at times…but it comes with the territory.

The secret?

Family.  Immediate, extended, friends, clients, clients turned friends.  A family that keeps on growing….providing lots of love, encouragement and support.

So, another year older and….

I continue to think about life and my place in it.

The time that I have.

The time to make a difference.

The time to make an impact.

The time to leave a mark.

…and here’s what I keep coming back to…

We all have a very simple, yet profound power – to be a beacon of light in someone’s life.  A helping hand.  A sounding board.  A mediator.  A smiling face.  An ear.  A shoulder to cry on.  An inspiration.  A teacher. A friend.  A partner in the journey…and the list goes on.

The sooner we embrace this, the better.

…and the longer we’ll have to shine our respective lights.

That’s my birthday wish for all us.

Shine your light.  Thanks! 

Photo credit:  Justin Hackworth  in Central Park.  You ROCK Justin!

Just because...

Last night I felt the need to take a photo of my daughter.  It had been awhile and she’s getting to the age where she’s a little more willing to work with me.  I knew I only had a few minutes….in really bad light…to make something that captured the spirit of this little girl growing before my eyes.

So where did we go?  The bathroom of course.  I took a seat on the throne (and yes, it was closed)…and asked her to come over.

She’s funny.  She knows me.  She said, ‘Do you want me to look this way?’….and turned her head away.

I laughed.

‘Look back toward me….up, at the window’.

…and a second later I got it.

Far from perfect technically, but then again, I could say that about most of my work. 

…it’s her.  A bright spark on a cloudy day.  Full of creativity, energy and emotion…

Always my little girl….but growing nonetheless.

I love you Madygirl.

FOUR-tunate...

This past Sunday, our little man turned 4.  It’s really hard to believe.  I could recite every cliché about time, growing up too fast, etc.. and it wouldn’t change a thing. He’s 4.  Like it or not.  Take it or leave it.

Determined.

Passionate.

Taller.

Solid. 

Expressing himself in oh so many ways. 

These are the super hero days.  Batman is his favorite and dominates his wardrobe.  I love this age and this time for him…and for Sara and I, as parents.

He loves his sister, and although they have the occasional sibling squabble, he defends her to the end.  Protective to the core.

He has this spark.  You can see it in his eye and you feel it whenever you’re near him.  It’s infectious.

He  never seeks the spotlight, so it naturally finds him.  He accepts it graciously and goes about his business…bein’ Liam.

Sometimes I just sit back and soak him in. 

We wrestle a lot these days.  He asks me to ‘chop’ him at night before bed…and I happily oblige him, pretending to elbow, hit, chop and  ‘get him’.  Laughter ensues and ultimately requests  for more. MORE.

…and those same requests….for more…echo inside my own head.

Honestly, it’s me that can’t get enough.

He’s my super hero.

….and I feel oh so four-tunate to have this little man in my life.

Will kiss for candy...

A picture in my mind...

Last Thursday, I finished up my work earlier than expected so I decided to head for the home front. When I pulled into the driveway, Liam rushed up to the car with the biggest smile screaming ‘Daddy! Daddy!’. When a(n almost) four year old greets you like this, you can’t help but feel good inside. Sara gave me a surprised smile…and said I could take over for her – they were just getting ready to throw a few wiffle balls in the backyard.

Our little man is growing into quite the hitter. We’ve graduated from underhand pitches to full on wind ups and overhand throws. As I pitched to him, I beamed with pride. The feeling made its way to my face…in a big smile. With each wind up and throw I couldn’t help but wear it, grinning from ear to ear….and when I looked over to my son…I noticed he was wearing a similar smile on his face with each swing of the bat. That image is burned into my brain…

...and yes, I’m still smiling.