Gorgeous humanity. I'm so glad you are Olaf's dad and the the biker is okay and that you are one of America's scribe's describing the beauty and the disaster in this moment when we need you--someone just like you--so badly. Love you.
Garrett! This was really a wonderful read and it resonated for me generally and even in some of the specifics. There have been many times in the past 10-ish years (my oldest kid is a 2012) where being a parent has been the catalyst for me to close the gap between who I was at the time, who I thought I was, and who I wanted and needed to be. I still don't feel like a grown-up, and my working theory is that as long as I am still growing I never will.
"But I will never lose the feeling of believing them to be perfect, which means that I will always have a connection to the the moment in all of our lives when somebody stared at our newborn face and saw pure perfection."
Such a lovely thought, that I wish we all kept first and foremost in our minds when encountering others in the world. I don't mean to seem overly religious, but we are all beloved children of God, and yet we don't act like anyone else is. we need to keep reminding ourselves and others, and keep seeing each other as the perfect little newborns we once were - just ones who life has tossed about a bit with some baggage imposed upon us by this fallen world. Happy birthday, Olof! Glad you are here, Olof's dad!
I just retrieved *my* redheaded May baby from college. He’s about to be 20. I was so happy to see him and hear about his silly and serious college adventures (philosophy of physics, economic modeling, what makes good friendship, where in the forest around school are the best sticks, and why he’s been collecting all the best sticks since he was 2) it actually hurt my stomach. I appreciate the both/and-ness you’ve captured. I would never have had kids if I’d seen what was coming with clear eyes, and I have no regrets about having my kids. I’ve possibly never been worse and also definitely never more wanted to be my best self than in my role as parent.
This is a beautiful story Garrett. Beautiful, messy and hopeful...I wrote two posts that I think would resonate with you- one on parenting and how we get it wrong and one on learning from wolves which is about building bridges and trying to connect across a divide rather than just shout across it.
Ah, Garrett. Beautiful. I think it's so important to combine radical self-honesty (the ouchy kind) with an unwavering faith in our immeasurable capacity for love. You say this so well in this piece. Thank you & keep being you!
Gorgeous humanity. I'm so glad you are Olaf's dad and the the biker is okay and that you are one of America's scribe's describing the beauty and the disaster in this moment when we need you--someone just like you--so badly. Love you.
You make a perfectly valid point, it makes me happy that there are great fathers like Garrett.
Ooh, thanks for this Court, and for being one of the great gifts in my life.
Garrett! This was really a wonderful read and it resonated for me generally and even in some of the specifics. There have been many times in the past 10-ish years (my oldest kid is a 2012) where being a parent has been the catalyst for me to close the gap between who I was at the time, who I thought I was, and who I wanted and needed to be. I still don't feel like a grown-up, and my working theory is that as long as I am still growing I never will.
That working theory very much resonates with me
"But I will never lose the feeling of believing them to be perfect, which means that I will always have a connection to the the moment in all of our lives when somebody stared at our newborn face and saw pure perfection."
Such a lovely thought, that I wish we all kept first and foremost in our minds when encountering others in the world. I don't mean to seem overly religious, but we are all beloved children of God, and yet we don't act like anyone else is. we need to keep reminding ourselves and others, and keep seeing each other as the perfect little newborns we once were - just ones who life has tossed about a bit with some baggage imposed upon us by this fallen world. Happy birthday, Olof! Glad you are here, Olof's dad!
It’s so true! And I’m increasingly fascinated by what it is that allows us to forget it so easily.
This was an amazing read. I needed this today.
Thank you Kristin!
I just retrieved *my* redheaded May baby from college. He’s about to be 20. I was so happy to see him and hear about his silly and serious college adventures (philosophy of physics, economic modeling, what makes good friendship, where in the forest around school are the best sticks, and why he’s been collecting all the best sticks since he was 2) it actually hurt my stomach. I appreciate the both/and-ness you’ve captured. I would never have had kids if I’d seen what was coming with clear eyes, and I have no regrets about having my kids. I’ve possibly never been worse and also definitely never more wanted to be my best self than in my role as parent.
"I've possibly never been worse and also definitely never more wanted to be my best self than in my role as a parent" oh God yes.
So much love to you and your stick-finder!
Your story touched me to the core. It is so touching to read about your parenting experience and the great love you have for your child. 🧡
That means so much, thank you
Here are the links. Thank you!
https://pocketfulofprose.substack.com/p/learning-from-wolves
https://pocketfulofprose.substack.com/p/parenting-sometimes-we-do-a-bang
Really enjoyed reading these! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for reading and letting me share the links. Excited that you subscribed. I look forward to sharing writing and ideas!
This is a beautiful story Garrett. Beautiful, messy and hopeful...I wrote two posts that I think would resonate with you- one on parenting and how we get it wrong and one on learning from wolves which is about building bridges and trying to connect across a divide rather than just shout across it.
If you’re comfortable, feel free to drop those links! I bet that others would enjoy reading as well
Ah, Garrett. Beautiful. I think it's so important to combine radical self-honesty (the ouchy kind) with an unwavering faith in our immeasurable capacity for love. You say this so well in this piece. Thank you & keep being you!
Thank you! I sure do have a bit of both- some ouchiness to excavate and a good deal of faith in all of us.
I can tell - it shines from your writing 🙏🏻
I absolutely agree with you, these are the qualities you need to have with you.
Beautifully written, parent to parent and imperfect human to imperfect human. Thank you for sharing.
Those are the two identities I hold most proudly lol!
Absolutely beautiful, Garrett. My eyes are welling, my throat is tight. Please keep doing what you do.
Oh that means so much, Luisa. Thank you.