With my son graduating 8th grade yesterday and my daughter set to graduate from high school this Saturday, I look back with fond memories of them when they were just mere babies to who they are now and what they are becoming. I am literally amazed at what they can do and what they can accomplish. Granted my wife and I gave them the tools to navigate their way through life but they managed perfectly using their own sense and sensibilities. Everything that they’ve achieved so far was due to their unique personality and innate traits; their exterior demeanor belies their true potential. It is because of this that I cherish being a parent. My children’s vim and vigor, no holds barred quest to grab a hold of what the world has to offer and run with it, is truly inspiring. It keeps me on my toes, anxiously waiting to see what unfolds for them and how they’ll astound us. Reflecting on my children’s journey into adulthood overwhelms me with pride and joy and is one of life’s gifts that I am truly honored to accept.
Memories
To Live Another Day

As I sit here in front of my computer
pondering life
and all its wondrous possibilities,
I can’t help but reminisce
about precious memories
shared with
family,
friends,
and loved ones
To have such treasured moments
is truly priceless
Knowing that a point in time
created feelings of
unbridled love,
pure joy
and non-stop laughter,
puts a smile on my face
To go through something that can’t
be recreated
is magical
But knowing that
the future presents opportunities
to experience similar feelings again
is what makes me
live for another day.
Writing Haikus

Writing is a gift
That’s given to few, so share
Let your voice be heard
Creating stories
Inspiring today’s children
To always dream big
Writing sets us free
Imagination unchained
Unknown worlds are born
Writing shows our heart
Passion reveals our true self
Our love knows no bounds
Words are our allies
Strings together emotions
Stirs up memories
My Perfect Day

We’ve all heard the phrase “That team played a perfect game”, “He/she got a perfect score on the test”, “That was the perfect date”, “He was a perfect gentleman” or “That was a perfect day.”
That word “perfect” obviously meant flawless, without fail. Things went so smoothly that the stars aligned and there wasn’t an ounce of disruption in your particular quest.
For some odd reason that word came to my mind this past week and I tried to fathom what I did in my life that was so “perfect.”
Yes, I’ve had a perfect score on an exam before so that was easy to relate to but as for the rest, I had a hard time trying to comprehend what that really meant. I figured I’d sleep on it and try to tackle that the next day.
The next day arrived; there were no plans or errands to do so it was pretty much a chill day.
BEEP, BEEP, BEEP…I sluggishly turned off the blaring alarm clock and rubbed my tired eyes awake. I looked to my left and saw my wife, Iris, of 20 years still asleep; she was always a deep sleeper.
I gazed at her for a moment and a flood of memories washed over me. It was like a video album showcasing all of the good and bad times; I smirked at how we ended up together and miraculously endured all of this.
Just then, our 3 year old dog “Chibi” started to lick my face as if to say “Good Morning, time for my morning walk now” or it just could have meant “Are you awake now? Good, let’s go play!” Chibi then turned her attention to my wife and did what the alarm clock could not do.
We got out of bed and did our normal routine. Soon after my son, Conor, woke up somberly said good morning and immediately turned on the TV as he plopped on the couch. Soon after my daughter, Chloe, awoke and joined Conor on the couch.
They weren’t their boisterous selves, more like morning zombies adjusting to the daylight and getting their bones, muscles and joints acclimated to the new day.
As the day wore on, our house started to liven up to its usual self. There would be times where I saw Chloe and Conor laughing about something, joking with Iris or playing with Chibi.
Throughout the day, we all would be interacting with each other in some fashion. As the day turned to night, we continued doing our little things to keep us occupied, all the while still connecting with one another.
The day came to an end and we all prepped for the next day of work and school. As we said our goodnights, I laid there in the dark and mulled over what took place throughout the day.
It was just a simple ordinary day of really doing nothing and just relaxing with the family. We laughed, joked and did inconsequential things but enjoyed every minute of it unbeknownst to us all.
I replayed the entire day in my mind’s eye and took stock of how beautiful that was. My sense of appreciation was immeasurable. Nothing went wrong, there were no major disruptions…I couldn’t have asked for a better day. It was simply “perfect”; it was “My perfect day.”

How Time Flies
Today as I am writing this blog, I am in complete shock at the fact that my daughter is turning 16 years old today (AND also at the fact that I’m someone’s dad). I truly cannot believe that my first born child is slowly growing into a young woman. This is the very child whom I cradled in my arms in the wee morning hours trying to get her to sleep.
Yes I know that it’s inevitable, but I’m amazed at how time flew by. It’s as if I’m in a water tube slide and the laws of physics temporarily sped up; all the events that I shared with my daughter were merely subconscious flashbacks appearing before my eyes as I descended to the bottom.
“WOW!!!” is all I can say. To see this strong, intelligent and ambitious girl attaining goals and dreams that I would never dare to do is completely mind-boggling…maybe I’m awed at that fact that I share DNA genes with her. Every day I am surprised at what she is capable of doing and am truly proud.
I guess the whole point of this post is just me reflecting on the past and how I relish my experiences as a parent with my children. I’m not the best parent in the world but I’m definitely not the worst by any means. I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way and grew as a person, but I feel like I did an okay job.
I look forward toward the future and am anxiously awaiting for my daughter and son to astonish me, whether it be something big or something small. It is because of them that I am inspired to do things and explore things that will surprise them as well. Hopefully along the way I can slow down time and defy the laws of physics to savor every moment.

Cherished Memories

“As you look towards the future
forget not the past
Savor the present
for in your memories they’ll last
There’ll be times in life
where things may be unclear,
just grit your teeth, head straight forward
and show you have no fear
There will also be days
when everyone brings you down,
so just remember my smile
like that of a cheerful clown
Remember the good times
shared between you and me,
and spread all of the happiness
to everyone you see.”