Father's Day Around the Corner and I'm Misty-Eyed

Father's Day is coming up this weekend. I'm thinking about my son who is now grown and a father to a darling little girl. I'm also thinking about how it is often easier for mothers and daughters to have those special relationships and for sons to feel left out, or at least as a woman, I worry about that. He was definitely my buddy when he was little. Somewhere in the teenage years, he grew away from me, as is, I think common. Boys tend to do that stoic thing, as it has become uncool to have emotions around this age. But I wonder, I worry about him.

Scott has always had a special spot in my heart. As my firstborn, he is irreplaceable. As the boy I watched grow into a fine man, he has my respect. He is an excellent dad. But because he is who he is, a scientist, a skeptic, a man who remembers too well the potholes in the road of life, one who makes jokes more easily than he makes conversation with his old mom, I think there are many things left unsaid between us. I hope he knows how deeply I love him and how proud of him I am. I hope he knows that he is a magnificant example of fatherhood. And I hope he sneaks by and reads my blog occasionally. That way, he might know what you do now.

I wrote this in 1974, when he was almost 10 years old. It was a rough year. His father and I were divorcing and his world was full of holes, leaking his happiness all over the place.

To Scotty.........

My boy, how fast you’ve grown.
Time has slipped away
From me.
Day by day
You’ve become taller,
Not an infant anymore
But not quite grown up either.
So independent you’ve become,
I’ve given you responsibility,
And laid the world on your shoulders,
Expecting you to stand.
But you’re still my child,
My son,
My first born.
Forgive my errors
As I try to understand
And help you grow.
I love you, my boy.

Happy Father's Day, my son. I love you very much.









Scott, Connie and Kylee.














You can see how Kylee adores her Daddy.












The whole family again.











He is such a good dad, and anyone who meets this family has no doubt about it.












Time for a quick piggy back ride!



















Isn't she lovely? She has her dad's grey-green eyes, her mom's beautiful olive complextion and dark hair. Perfect mixture.











Scott and me!









One last one . . . Scott and his own dad. I think Dad is making fun of Scott's folded arms. whatever, great smiles!