My Captain's Log

Navigating The Stormy Waters Of Fatherhood

Menu
  • About Me
  • About The Captain
  • Contact Me: Let’s Tell Your Story
  • Privacy Policy
  • Recent Posts
Menu

I Hope I Remember

Posted on April 15, 2015 by captaincreed

This one is for my daughter.

At the end of last school year, someone asked you why you were lucky, and, without any prompting you said, “Because I have a daddy that stays home with me during the summer?” That warmed my heart. You see, summers are precious to me. Historically, it has been when we can explore things together, relax, play outside, run from the ice cream man, watch goofy TV, laugh at the wind, ride bikes, and much much more.

It’s also a time I take too many pictures – ok, mommy and I always take too many pictures, but I think that is merely a byproduct by our fascination with the enigmatic story ,that is you, that is unfolding, daily, right before our eyes.

And so I take pictures, too many pictures, so I can remember some of the little things. They may not be monumental like your first step or first word. Sometimes they are pictures of you sleeping on my chest – because I will never forget how you snuggled me as a baby. We took the best naps. Or sometimes we are simply sitting peacefully enjoying the outdoors.

IMG_9228.JPG

You have always enjoyed boats and water – those are some of my favorite memories with you. And that has taken some getting used to as the outdoors aren’t exactly my favorite place to be. But you love it. The tranquility of nature meshed with the wonder and excitement expressed on your face has made it worth it to me.

IMG_9227.JPG

We take a lot of pictures, your mother and I, because we want to remember. I want to remember you smile in the wind, your outfit on your first day of dance class, the time you tried to put the leash on the dog and somehow wound up all tangled.

I want to remember the smell of stale Honey Nut Cheerios that we kept packed in your diaper bag (but you rarely ate). I want to remember our trips to the donut store, how you danced in your car seat every time Michael, Stevie, and (for a brief period) Elvis came on the radio.

I want to remember the late nights that I held you and ran the vacuum trying to get you to sleep. The midnight trips in the car, the barefoot walks with the dog, the look on your face when the ice cream truck’s music suddenly became audible.

I do not wish you to stop growing, though I joke about it with you each time you outgrow clothes, that would be unfair to you and your journey – of which I am blessed to be a small part of.

I know someday, and probably too soon, you will grow into your own purpose and potential. And when that day comes, I hope that I am strong enough not to begrudge fate, but to simply continue to stand in your corner and cheer. But when that day comes, I hope to remember all the little things we have done – the laughs, the tears, the silent moments, the food, the family, and when you were small enough to fall asleep on my shoulder.

IMG_9212.JPG

I hope to remember it all, and I hope you remember some too.

5 thoughts on “I Hope I Remember”

  1. Larry says:
    April 15, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    Sweet post, Captain.
    I’m sure you’ll be standing in her corner and cheering too.

    Reply
    1. captaincreed says:
      April 16, 2015 at 11:46 am

      Thank you, Larry!

      Reply
  2. Mike Heenan says:
    April 15, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    This. Is. Exactly. Why.

    Beautiful, dude.

    Reply
    1. captaincreed says:
      April 15, 2015 at 9:35 pm

      Thank you, Mike!

      Reply
  3. Lori E says:
    April 16, 2015 at 12:46 pm

    So touching. So true. Being a parent is such a blessing. And your kids are blessed to have you!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Do you “Like” The Captain?

Do you “Like” The Captain?

My audition for the new Most Interesting Man in the World. Actually, it's just me sitting by the fire waiting for the power to come back.

A photo posted by Creed (@captain_creed) on Apr 4, 2016 at 11:47am PDT

Recent Posts

  • Space Jam – A New Legacy
  • Quiet But Not Absent
  • 5 Ways Comics Improve Reading

Archives

  • July 2021
  • March 2021
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • December 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
I'm speaking at Dad 2.0 summit!
© 2022 My Captain's Log | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme