Grateful for an old friend

I came across her post last weekend. The song stuck with me after Emiko seemed to like it. Hope agreed that it was a good cover as well.

Tonight, all was quiet in the house as Hope had passed out on the sofa. Emiko was asleep upstairs and I turned to one of the guitars to see if I still could teach myself how to play a song. A few moments listening, a few moments of tuning and I started to catch it.

Thanks, Sedson, for getting me to dust off a guitar tonight. It was relaxing and reinvigorating at the same time. A few moments of time to myself while I made a little music.

Late nights

Emiko, you woke up last night and quietly called out for Daddy. Thanks for being so considerate...you didn't even wake up Mom who needs her sleep right now. You asked me to pick you up and we cuddled in the glider for a handful of precious minutes before you started nodding off again. I asked if you were ready to go back to bed and you said yes. But I wasn't ready to put you down.

I cherish these moments with you. I marvel at both how much you have grown and how you still fit so perfectly in my arms. I cherish your sleepy hugs and your quiet answers to my questions. I marvel at how clearly your mind processes thoughts, even when you are so tired. I will cherish these quiet father and daughter moments for the rest of time.

All my love,

Dad

Lesson Plan 7 - The Importance of Family

"Family is not an important thing, it's everything." - Michael J. Fox

Dearest Emiko, the quote above says it all, in fact, I'm having a difficult time trying to think of ways to expound on this. However, I would like to point out that family is not always blood relation. Family is also those friends closest to you, your sisters and brothers from other mothers.

Family will always help you get back up.

Family will always be there in your darkest hour.

Family will always share with you in the good and bad.

Family will always challenge you but they will never ask you why.

Family will always show you that you are loved.

Emi, I grew up a long way from our related family. It was an 8-10 hour trip from Maine to see our grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. And so, while we cherished those visits with our relatives, we also had a tight group of family friends who doubled as our Maine family. Our parents were best friends with our best friend's parents. That gave us two additional sets of parents who made sure we stayed in line, made sure we remained disciplined, made sure we didn't slack off from our studies. We always knew someone who loved us was looking after us.

My Mom and Dad always impressed upon us the importance of taking care of your family, and your friends, first. Your Mom and I hope to be able to do the same.

Family first, always.

With so much love,

Dad

Monday, November 15, 2010

Emiko's first Av's game!

Well, not really. She has been to plenty in utero and she actually attended opening night in 2008 for a dinner with Sally before the game (Hope and Emi left during the anthem).

But, Emiko's first Av's game.

Since there was an early start on Monday, Hope and I discussed taking Emiko to the game. Of course, Emi overheard this and immediately latched onto the idea of going, thus negating any chance of us backing out.

We all drove down to meet Sally with Emiko chattering busily in the back seat about going to a hockey game. We walked in to the Pepsi Center and Emi continued to chatter about the big building, how she has been here before and that she was going to a hockey game.

We gave her a ticket which she carefully clutched and then passed to the ticket checker at the front door.

We paraded through the club level. For a while, she rode on my shoulders until a Pepsi Center employee asked me to pull her off my shoulders since there was a danger that she might fall. I complied and while she was safely on the ground, we put in ear plugs to protect her little ears.

Once we reached the front row seats, she sat for a moment but preferred to stand at the railing and stare at the ice. As players came out she became super excited. She laughed, danced to the music, and watched the entire first period on her feet.

At this point, it was time to take her home. I helped walk Hope out of the Pepsi Center. Emiko screamed the entire way which made for a long walk. She didn't want to leave, she wanted to stay and watch more hockey. She is in love with the game and simply wanted to see more.

If Canada is ever looking to offer someone honorary citizenship, Emi deserves it!

Emiko in the morning

Emiko called out when she woke up around 6:30 this morning, saying "Daddy...Daddy."

Hope suggested that I respond and I trundled out of bed and went into Emi's room. She was lying in her bed, surrounded by her blankets and her stuffed animals. Quite quiet and very calm.

As always, she told me "I woke up."

And I responded, "Yes, you did. Do you want to go cuddle in my bed?"

"No, I want to go downstairs.I want to check on Molly."

"But Mommy is in the bathroom. Do you want to go see her in the bathroom?"

"No, I want to go downstairs. I want to check on MOLLY and Izzy!"

"Ohhhh...they aren't her right now."

A sad face.

"We can ask them to have a sleepover next time they are here. That way they could be here in the morning."

A happy face.

"Yes, I want to go downstairs to check on Molly!"

******

My lovely daughter in the morning.

A late drive home

On my way home tonight, I noticed that my "freeze" warning indicator was illuminated on the dash.

Winter is coming....