5 Words Tonight, I walked in from the garage to the sound of laughter in the kitchen. What better to walk in to? Michael had his shirt pulled up over his belly and he said, "Look, I've got a one pack." Although he was laughing, and in spite of the fact that he's a great looking kid, he has always been self conscious about his belly being, as he says, 'too big'. Truth be told, it's been that way since he was a baby. I remember taking pictures of him when he was a toddler, then sending them off to his doctor. At times he looked 9 months pregnant. Well, long story longer, this year his 'resolution' is to become more fit; stronger; healthier. "Maybe we could go to the gym together Dad. Not every day, but maybe 2 or 3 days per week?" His resolution on his terms. I couldn't have been more happy and proud of him. Back to the laughter. After looking at Michael with his shirt pulled up, I looked the other direction to see Adrianne with her shirt pulled up over her tummy. "Look Mikey! I have a no pack! No muscles here!" They were in such a happy place together; Michael's safe place. This was one of those time when I though that, as the same gender parent, I probably ought to show him that I love him, absolutely and unconditionally. At this particular moment in time, after all of the injuries and time away from training, I'm a good 10 pounds heavier than I want to be...and I'm FEELING it! So I looked him in the eyes and paused. I was thinking, "I know in my heart that he admires me. I know that he watches me put in endless hours of intense training. I know that he has had tears in his eyes when I've crossed those finish lines." Then, with a grin, I pulled my shirt up, stuck out my belly a bit and said, "See buddy. I've got your back. We'll work on it together, OK?" That's when he said it. He looked up from what he was doing, just for a split second, and said, "5 words Dad. 5 words." That phrase, "5 words", has evolved over the thousands; yes, he's 11...literally thousands of hours spent tucking him in at night. Some nights are long and filled with growing pains, some are short and sweet, others are silent with him falling asleep on my chest. Over the years, "I love you." became, "I love you buddy." Then it was "I love you to the moon." Now he's older. Now he really is maturing. Now it's so, so important that he believes, in his darkest moments, that no matter what...his mom and I love him. What are the 5 words? "Just the way you are." I showed him that I too have weaknesses; that I'm insecure, and his immediate, almost unconscious response was just that..."5 words dad. 5 words." I'll never forget that brief instance. Those hours by his side for all of those years are showing now. What a beautiful and special boy he is, with a really sensitive and loving heart. I love you Michael James....5 words.
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AuthorAs a father of two sons, I have often wavered between feeling the burden of raising two strong, intelligent, compassionate young men and the privilege of doing so. Archives
May 2017
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