Happy Father's Day to my daughters
It was Friday, September 21, 1990. The time was around 6:30am. We were at Kaiser Permanante Hospital in Anaheim, California. We had only been there about a half hour and here comes the baby girl that I was sure was going to be a boy. Andrew Ryan became Amy Elizabeth. We'd have to save the name for the next one. When she grabbed my finger a few minutes later, I was hooked. Life was never the same.
I never thought I'd be a dad and knew nothing about how to do it. I didn't get married until I was thirty-seven. Less than a year later, Amy came along. I remember thinking we'd take her home and we'd hang out watching the UCLA football game. Like I said I was clueless. All I knew was being a father was going to be the best thing that happened in my life.
It was Friday, May 8, 1992. The time was again around 6:30am. Same place, Kaiser Permanante Hospital, in Anaheim, California. We had again been there about a half hour but that's all the commonalities in the two stories. This child isn't showing up without a fight. Three hard hours later here she comes. Kimberly Ryan (finally forced that Ryan in there) or as she's been known all her life Kimi. It was time for the finger grabbing bonding moment. I placed my finger in her palm. Nothing. Nada. Zip!!! Oh man....this one isn't going to be easy. She was going to make you work. This one was in charge from day one.
There are all types of children. They have different personalities. Even sisters. Even as babies. It doesn't mean you love the tougher one less. You just have to work a little harder to get her love and respect.
It's Father's Day 2017. I've done this dance for twenty-seven years. On this day, I remember my own father. I think about how much he would have loved and spoiled these two. I can close my eyes and picture the three of them together. They're sitting on a deckchair in a backyard. He has both girls under his arms. The oldest snuggles with him. The youngest squirms. It's a picture that makes me sad because it never happened except for in my mind. All three of them missed out.
It's Father's Day 2017. The two babies in this story are now adults. The oldest one is spending Father's Day in Israel. I'll miss her being here but I'm happy she's in a place she loves. Her younger sister is here and I'll be having a meal with her....and her husband of two years. Yeah, the kid found another guy who was willing to work hard to get her love and respect. I'm happy for her and to be with her.
And that's what Father's Day is about. For twenty-seven years, it was the best thing in my life. It still is.