Be with summer again.

Remember the carefree summer nights when we were kids?  Remember playing with your neighborhood friends until Mom or Dad called you inside?  Remember how you pretended not to hear them until they sounded like they meant business? 

For me it was playing football with the guys until we couldn't see the ball coming at us anymore.  Trying to catch a football in the dark could be painful, but that was half the fun.  Not knowing when you were going to get hit.

That part of me still seems to be very much alive today.  I still do foolish things that usually leave a mark, and I don't have any intentions of stopping any time soon either.  I've always been stubborn, and sometimes I don't listen to better judgement or reason.  I value those experiences and wouldn't trade them for anything.  I want a life full of experiences, even if that includes pain, heartache, and other such consequences.  How are we supposed to truly know life if we haven't lived?  What fun is life without a good challenge?  Perhaps some of us are content with staying between the lines and following the footprints left before us, but some of us prefer to run with our eyes wide open at night waiting for the football to inevitably hit. 

Now I'm a parent, and find myself standing at the door yelling for my child to come in because it's getting dark.  The only difference is that I only have to ask her once.  How did I ever get so lucky?  Surely karma would say otherwise, so I'll keep knocking on wood.  I know that every parent believes that their child is perfect, but let me tell you.  I think mine is about as close as they come.  She reminds me every day that I am doing something right.  Sometimes she doesn't want to eat everything on her plate, but after all, she is her father's child.  :) 

What I have discovered now, is that perhaps one of my biggest challenges is going to be living up to be the best father I can possibly be for my daughter.  Being a parent means not always doing what you want and getting your way.  Being a parent means that you are responsible for another person in every way imaginable.  Being a parent means being the first and best example to your child at all times.  Perhaps that will be my best accomplishment in this life.  I cannot fail.  At times I feel like I am still running in the dark with my hands flailing through the air trying to find my way, but I know I'll make it.  She is watching.  What could be more important than that? 

Don't be too preoccupied with worry and doubt.  Be with summer again, and enjoy the little things.