Somebody Tell Me What Happened?

I’m a man.

At least I think I am…Well I was…

That’s what I think sometimes. Although I know that I am, in fact, a man.

What caused this you might ask?

My daughter did.

Everything changed when my daughter was born just over 2 years ago.

Everything looked different, tasted different, and smelled different.

Things I used to never care about suddenly had meaning. Sappy movies and cheesy songs suddenly brought tears to my eyes where there had previously been none.

Take the other day for example. My wife and I were driving to go rent a movie and this song came on the radio. Some of you may know it, some may not. The song was “Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Suddenly, my eyes tear up and I kind of trial off in conversation.

What is this?

My daughter has forever changed me in ways I never thought possible.

Some may look at things like this as weaknesses or feminine traits, or whatever. I have to think those people are not parents.

Yes my daughter has changed me drastically.

And I thank her for that.

For some reason I felt the need to share this today.

I guess that's a change as well.

Very well put.

I remember those feelings when my daughter was born. Now that she's 16 a whole new set of feelings and concerns are present.

I've decided that I've talked with her about everything and so has her mother, we've armed her with the best information we could give and asked her to please come to us with anything she doesn't know or understand. We're sending her out into this world and it's up to her to make decisions and live her life, we can only hope for the best.

So far, she's done pretty good, a couple of very minor issues popped up and she acted in a way that I couldn't imagine, we were very proud of her.

You're going to be a great Father, cherish the days, they go by so fast.

Thanks for the comments.

I can already see the days flying by as we speak. It's funny how such extreme emotions can come paired together in one little package.

I know exactly what you mean. Hard to put into words. You did it quite eloquently. I feel the same way about my son.
Nice post!

reply to post by nyk537


nyk537,

What happened to you is that you grew up or moved into another world which was always there...you just never saw it with such awareness which comes of such weighty responsibility. Congratulations.

Responsibility brings such change...you cannot avoid it if you are a man of conscience. No escape.

Being a parent is a lifelong responsibility..even after they are grown and married off ..you will still worry and concern yourself about them. Every responsible parent wants to know that the investment they have made in their children will allow them to stand when they are no longer there to physically stand with and for them. That your children have the knowlege/skill to pick themselves up and wipe their own bloody noses..so to speak and get going once again.
This is the emotion you are sensing nyk537...this heightened awareness of what is to come ..both for you and your children...even your future generations.

This knowlege nyk537..is what we call ...Love...beyond mere words...beyond the flesh..and even beyond our time here on Earth itself. For if you have properly done your job..properly invested...proper husbandry...proper management..proper educatioin....this knowlege will serve them from beyond your grave.
This is indeed Love. Our parents, grandparents, great grandparents and generations before them knew this. We are living proof..living testimony of this.

Congratulations in your moving into a bigger more weighty world.

Orangetom

reply to post by nyk537


I just wanted to stand up and cheer when I read your OP. How delightful! Those manly emotions you're feeling are the gift wives want to give their husbands. I'm sure your wife is a very happy woman. Welcome to parenthood.