Twelve is a serious number.
Twelve years ago your mom laughed you into the world. I
won’t scary you with too many gory details, but I will tell you that I was the
very first one to touch you as you were born.
You have brought me nothing but pure joy since that very first
moment. Watching you grow, absorbing the world around you, inquisitive and
delighted to learn, I’m reminded each day of the treasure you bring into my world.
As all fathers do, I have goals, dreams and wishes for you. I
have, as you can imagine, dozens of them, but on this special anniversary, I
will limit myself to most of what I wish for you.
I wish for the kind heart I
see you in now to stay firmly in place. Keep it, nurture it and
handle it with care. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you are too
sensitive. You are the first to protect your sister and hold her hand when she
is scared, the first to run for the ice pack when someone is hurt and the first
to panic when it comes to family hurt. The best part of my life when I’m back
home from a very long trip and feel this joy infused by your smile, your hugs,
the tender way you put your hand on me or suddenly say, “Dad, how was YOUR trip?” I
couldn’t live and I cannot live without your affection and kindness.
Don’t ever apologize for who you are, for what you want, for how
hard you have worked or where you are going in life. I don’t doubt you will work hard, but I can already see signs
that you are quick to apologize, to back down. Don’t. You have
learned this from me and I wish I could take it back. Stand your ground,
be proud of you. Do not live to make others happy or to measure up to
someone else’s expectations. Be Cooper. This is enough.
Be a student. Be a teacher. Learn at every opportunity. Read. Be inquisitive.
Ask. And when you know something and know it well – teach others. Do not
hoard your knowledge, your gifts – share them. There is inherent beauty
in being both student and teacher. It is a gift to learn and a
privilege to teach.
I wish you wins and losses, trophies and empty shelves. As much as I would love to see you succeed in everything
you do… as much as I believe in your gifts, I must wish you challenges.
For it is within the losses, the 3rd, 4th and 5th places, and the
failures that your character will be built. It is my job, as a father, to do my
best to guide you through these moments. If everything was to be easy for you,
you would be ill-prepared for the ‘real’ world. I promise you, life is
not always easy.
Your dreams: do them.
Your heart: follow it. Your mom and little sister: treasure them.
Your friends: be loyal to them. Your fears: embrace them and allow them to make
you stronger. The money that you will earn in future: respect it. Your
passion: LIVE IT.
Seek joy. Every
single day, find something that makes you happy and do it. Be it big or
small – an act of kindness, calling a friend, watching a football game with me
– it quite simply doesn’t matter. What matters is that you spend a
portion of each day smiling and laughing. This is how you came in to the
world, it is only fitting that keep it going.
And my ‘one to grow on’ - I wish to be here at this moment of your
birthday and every single moment of your life…. to keep you on track.
You are what bliss looks like in a young boy. You are dirty
and messy, you snuggle and love. I melt when you say, “I miss you Dad”. I
adore when you say that. I will never forget your need for more. I always
have the little memories on how you used to climb into my bed in the morning just
to have a nap next to me.
And nothing gets to me more than hearing you say, “I love you, Dad”.
Thank you, sweet, small dude – for completing this family.
I will always love you, my buddy.
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