6/22/2026
Yesterday was Father's Day. I had planned to write something for my son, but I wasn't able to finish it in time. So here it is, one day late. Fortunately, it is not really late at all. Next month, he will become a father himself.
I have heard countless complaints about the hardships of raising a child. I also understand the anxiety that my son and his wife are feeling as they prepare to welcome their first child into the world. Over the past few months, I have tried to reassure them whenever I could.
Most people think of parenthood as a long series of challenges: sleep deprivation with a crying baby, endless diaper changes, the terrible twos, and eventually the dreadful teenage years.
All those things are real issues. But today I find myself thinking about something different.
The chores, frustrations, sleepless nights and worries do not disappear. But if we can look beyond them and see the larger picture and in a larger time frame, everything changes.
Looking back, I wish someone had told me this when I first became a parent and I could enjoy the process. In fact, I wish I had understood it myself. That is why I feel compelled to share it with my son.
When you were busy growing up, rushing toward adulthood, you probably did not fully experience your own childhood. Like most of us, you were always moving on to the next stage of life.
Fatherhood offers endless opportunities.
It gives you the opportunity to rediscover the wonder, curiosity, carefree and playfulness that adulthood often pushes aside. Through your child, you may find yourself sitting on the floor building blocks, laughing at things that make no sense, and seeing the world again through your child's eyes.
I am not writing to teach you how to be a good father. You will find your own way.
What I hope is that you allow your child to teach you something as well: how to relax and play again, how to be fully present, how to be silly without embarrassment, and how to rediscover a part of yourself that may have been forgotten along the way.
Re-live your childhood with your child, that may turn out to be one of the greatest gifts of fatherhood.