I THOUGHT?

I THOUGHT?

I thought, before you were born, that I knew all about LIFE and that I had all the answers, and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me about LIFE and not taking the easy road that is comfortable and by heading off into an industry, I knew nothing about and into a world without having all the answers and your positive “I can make it happen” attitude that said - You will never have all the answers… so proceed forward anyway. That is truly LIFE, I wish I knew that before you were born.?

I thought, before you were born, that I knew all about COMPASION and how to treat strangers as friends and friends as family and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me about COMPASION when talking with my sister in the car on the phone and she said my mother passed away… it was then as I looked in the rear-view mirror and saw the tears running down your face for a woman you barely knew and only met less than 10 times in your short 18 years, and your heartfelt simple response to my sister that was without guile when you said – “Thank you for taking care of my grandmother”. That is true COMPASSION, I wish I knew that before you were born.?

I thought, before you were born, that I knew all about PATIENCE when things in my life did not work in my time schedule, and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me about PATIENCE in how you graciously handle the adversities in your life and albeit at times you were frustrated at your circumstances, you said to your self - that “thing” was not for me, maybe not now, or maybe not ever, but there is something better waiting for me. That is true PATIENCE! I wish I knew that before you were born.???

I thought, before you were born, that I knew about GOD’S PLAN for your life and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me about God’s Plans for “your” life and just like the inscription on your class ring. (Jeremiah 29:11) you reminded me that the plans for your life are not dictated by me, your dad, but they are from God and His plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, and His plans are to give you a hope and a future. That is truly GOD’S PLAN! I wish I knew that before you were born.??

I thought, before you were born, that I knew about GIVING OF YOURSELF when I tried pleasing others all the time, and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me that GIVING OF YOURSELF should not include Losing yourself in the process. Time and time again you would live out this attitude by helping others, but just like the True Capricorn that you are you are, you can decipher who is using you and who really needs help. And you concentrate on those who need your help. That is truly GIVING OF YOURSELF! I wish I knew that before you were born.?

?I thought, before you were born, that I knew about GRATITUDE and what it’s like to be thankful even in the desert, and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me that GRATITUDE is something that can never be taught, it is a behavior that is instilled in your heart, when one has gone without and are still overwhelmingly thankful for what they don’t have. You my son, have mastered this. That is true GRATITUDE! I wish I knew that before you were born.?

I thought, before you were born, that I knew about HONOR in my day-to-day life, and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me HONOR was shown through your integrity in how you handled life when things did not work in your favor during sports, drama and even relationships. You stood tall through it all. That is true HONOR! I wish I knew that before you were born.?

I thought, before you were born, that I knew about being FOCUSED and achieving goals and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me about being FOCUSED and for you it is not always about the end goal… it is about your consistent drive to improve upon yourself every day. That is truly FOCUSED, I wish I knew that before you were born. ?

I thought, before you were born, that I knew about FINANCES after I met your mother and let her take care of it all, and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me about FINANCES when I opened your dresser drawer and found stacks and stacks of cash bound in rubber bands and I said to myself – if I just took a few $10’s from the middle of the stack would he really know? Yep! You knew, down to the penny! That’s true FINANCES! I wish I knew that before you were born.?

I thought, before you were born, that I knew about HOPE and FAITH when your mother and I waited 10 years to have what we envisioned for a son and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me that HOPE and FAITH is believing and letting God direct you with something or someone better than we could ever imagine. HOPE is indeed a part of FAITH and they both go hand in hand, and you proved the Doctors wrong as well, and I am so glad I never got the “son” I envisioned… he would have been such a jerk! That is true HOPE and FAITH! I wish I knew that before you were born.?

I thought, before you were born, that I knew about HAPPINESS when I met your mother and that one day, I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken because it was you who taught me about HAPPINESS in your very existence every minute of every hour of every day. Your Happiness is not your contagious laughter or red-faced ear to ear smile, but it is deep within your heart, because you actually like yourself and you like being with yourself! That is true HAPPINESS!?I wish I knew that before you were born.?

I thought, before you were born, that I knew all about PEACE and REST and how not to get burned out and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me about PEACE and REST, not just the relaxation on the couch after a tough day, but inner PEACE in not only knowing who you are, but also “Whose” you are, and you are happy with who you are and your direction in life and when you can come to that realization in your life, that is when you will find REST. That is true PEACE and REST! I wish I knew that before you were born.??

I thought, before you were born, that I knew about APPRECIATION and what it was all about and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me how to APPRECIATE not just my past, but also my present and especially my future. Your appreciation for learning something new every day and sharing that knowledge with others is a wonder to behold. In fact, you appreciate learning so much that you don’t care who your audience is, as long as you can share your thoughts. That is true APPRECIATION! ?I wish I knew that before you were born.?

I thought, before you were born, that I knew about having FUN and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me about having FUN, and it is not just in what we are doing, but it is more in our spirit when you are ready at a moment’s notice to start a new adventure, to wake up with a smile, to say yes to more things than you say no to! That is true FUN! I wish I knew that before you were born.?

I thought, before you were born, that I knew all about LOVE when I married your mother and that one day, I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken because it was you who taught me about UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, this is evident in how you treat your mother and those you love around you every day. You are not ashamed of showing your love and when and you voice it and express it no matter when and where you are. That is true LOVE! I wish I knew that before you were born.??

I thought, before you were born, that I knew about LOYALTY in how I treated my family and friends and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me about LOYALTY, when your school and friends abandoned you, it was then you stood up for your own Principals and you were loyal to yourself 1st, no matter the pain, no matter the cost, no matter the outcome. . And this was proven today when those who went against you failed for everyone to see. TO Thine Own self be True!. That is true LOYALTY I wish I knew that before you were born.?

I thought, before you were born, that I knew all about FRIENDSHIP and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me about FRIENDSHIP by asking me how my day is going and is there anything you can do to help? By walking in my office and giving me a hug or just simply having a conversation not about anything in particular, or with an agenda, and not caring about your needs at all. God I’m going to miss those moments! That is true FRIENDSHIP! I wish I knew that before you were born.?

I thought, before you were born, that I knew about being a FATHER and in my fantasy, I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me that anyone can be a Father, but not everyone can be a Dad, and not just any DAD, but a Better Dad, and Father, and Friend, and Husband and simply a Better Person and any preconceived notion, idea or even clue that I ever thought was merely thrown out the window the very 1st time I held you in my arms.?Your bear hugs as you grab me when I walk past you in the morning, or the pat on my shoulder when you sit next to me when we drive in the car while jamming out to our Classic Rock on the radio or your simple inquiry by asking my opinion, which we both know is that you don’t really want my opinion... you just want someone to talk to, this is more than any dad could want, hope and desire in a child. That is truly being a DAD!?I wish I knew that before you were born.?

I thought, before you were born, that I knew about the WORLD and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken, because it was you who taught me about the WORLD, and you my son are about to change it!. I wish I knew that before you were born.?

I thought, I thought, and I thought, before you were born, that I knew about EVERYTHING and that one day I would be able to teach you about everything I knew.

I was mistaken because it was you who taught me about EVERYTHING! Not just your facts on History, Science, Art, Models, Film, Music, Trains, Trains, Trains, Trains, Trains, Thomas the Tank Engine, oh… did and I mention Trains? It was not about the subject, it was about your desire for knowledge and how you were never satisfied with a small part of your knowledge, because you wanted it ALL! You want the entire experience and not just a small taste. And over the years as you would teach me something new, what you didn’t realize that it was actually everything I wanted to teach you…And I eventually put my pride aside and ignored every so called “Life Lesson” that I could bestow on you because somewhere along our journey together as Father and Son you taught me, just like the student teaches the teacher and eventually, you became my MENTOR… AND THAT MY WONDERFUL SON IS INDEED EVERYTHING! And I am so glad I did not know any of that before you were born.

Now – GO and Change OUR World!

Love Forever Dad