It has been well over a year since I've even looked at this blog. Now is as good a time as any to start it up once again before my brain starts to atrophy. I started this hoping to connect with other parents out there. Maybe share some stories about being a father with a taste for the finer things in life. Horror movies, tattoos, heavy metal, etc...
But now I know that this is all just a step closer to a different path in my life.
I've always been a writer. It started way back in grade school with bad poetry I was convinced would be the next hit song. In high school the poetry continued, including a classic that would horrify my poor English teacher. But I also added short stories to the mix. Really bad short stories.(We all have to cut our teeth somewhere). After high school I spent a period of time collaborating on songs in short lived bands and started to throw journals into my routine.
While I've held many jobs in my day, none of them have truly been what I would consider my calling in life. Writing has always been a constant no matter what I was doing to pay the bills.
Now, so many years later, I have a bin filled with scraps of paper, notebooks, napkins, and whatever else was close at hand when inspiration struck. They're all just pieces of a puzzle that hasn't fully developed its picture.
And here's where it gets tricky...
Before I had children I could be that starving artist that wore the same clothes everyday, ate dollar menu items, and just got lost in whatever world I could fashion for myself. But now I have two powerful and loving forces in the world that rely on me to guide them and keep them safe. Daddy can't just close up shop and retreat in his head for too long or else they'll start to wonder where I went. My responsibilities as a father far outweigh my contributions to the creative world.
I always want to tell my children that they can be whatever they want to be in this world. To chase their dreams and never give up. Let them know it's OK to fail as long as you learn from it, pick up the pieces and try again. And most importantly, never let someone's negativity tear down what you've worked so hard to achieve. There will always be someone looking to piss on your parade, so always carry your umbrella !
So while that all sounds well and good. What type of example would I set if I wasn't chasing my own dreams?
It's time to dust off those old notebooks, start another new one, and gather those pieces. Put them all together and make my dreams a reality.
You don't have to sacrifice everything about yourself to be a good parent. As a matter of fact you have to hold on to the best parts and instill them into your children.
Always be yourself no matter what.
Your kids will thank you for it.
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