Im sorry for the long read. You dont have to read it though, its ok. Just clearing my mind a little this morning. :) [after rereading this, i should not be left alone with my thoughts and a keyboard...lol] First off.... Emma brings me this piece of green construction paper that shed been practicing her letters and numbers on and hands it to me with the biggest smile on her face. Curious, I look at it to find a random, haphazard arrangement of scribbles and illegible doodles for the most part, with something resembling a......no. I dont know what that is either. Anyway, I try to match her enthusiasm and ask her what it says. She asks if she can read it to me, and Im all too happy to oblige. Emma: Want me to read it to ya? Me: Please do! Emma: But I thought you could read? Me: I can, but I like hearing you read out loud. Emma: Ok. (She climbs up beside me in the chair into her spot, and begins) Right here it says, Pops, you are the bestest uncle in the whole world! And here it says, I love you and Im glad you came found me and that I get to live with you and Momma J! (We are her legal guardians) Here it says, You make me happy! Me: Why, thank you, darling! Emma: Smiles a crooked smile, and lays her head on my shoulder. Me: What do you want? Emma: Bubble gum. Me: **sighs** Ok. Emma: OH! I almost forgot! That was to remind me to give you one of these: **SMOOCH!** (right on the cheek) followed up by an immediate bear hug. This is where she hugs with both arms and legs, shakes like she trying to wrestle me to the ground, and growls like a bear. Me: (grunting like shes crushing me) Emma: (stops) You ok, Pops? Sometimes I forget how strong I am! Me: Yeah, Ill be ok. Emma: Then why you making those noises? You need to suck it up, buttercup! Me: JENNIFER!!! WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING THIS CHILD!?!? She runs out the door laughing, turns around and comes back for her paper. Holding it up she says, You know Pops....I meant all this stuff even if you didnt give me the bubble gum! Secondly This morning is her first day of school, and Im the ONLY one in the house awake and nervous about it. LOL Yesterday we were talking about today and what a big girl she is. 1st day of 1st grade only comes once in a lifetime. Shes like, Yeah, I got this! Buuuuuut, will you walk me to the bus stop? Im like, Sure. You sure I wont embarrass you? She responds, You never embarrass me. You keep me safe. I feel safe when I know youre there. I will tell anyone listening, or eavesdropping either one, what I told her. Though she didnt comprehend it, I think everyone you will: Emma, except for little bumps and bruises here and there that are bound to come, I will keep you safe from all harm. Both foreign, thats people we dont know, AND domestic, those people we do know! You can RUN TELL THAT! She just grinned and cuddled back into her spot. In closing: Today I watch her as she gets on the bus for her very first day of first grade! The first big milestone of many more to come! I vow that my wife and I will be there each and every day of school throughout high school graduation, college, and for each and every other milestone to come along the way that she would have us be a part of. Now. Only to whom it may concern: She is 6 years old now. If you have a problem with this, you had 6 years to send this situation down a different path, but ultimately you chose other things over her. How, I have no clue. You have, however, waited too late to change it now. Jennifer Payne and I love her more than life itself, and she is part of our family now. We are going to spend the rest of our lives filling her up with so much love and happiness that she forgets all the bad stuff. We are going to teach her the real meanings of such fundamental things as: Love and Respect (of God, Family, Self and Others) Beauty, the real meaning of Family, Happiness and Joy (and how to know the difference), Peace, Manners, just to name a few. If you are reading this, and you want to contribute to that happiness and love, we welcome you with open arms. However, try to challenge that happiness or joy in any way, or try to cause drama that could possibly spill over into her little life, and I will show you first hand at least one of the numerous ways Im willing keep her safe. That is all.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 11:52:45 +0000
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