Dear Raevin and Ari
Fly Butterfly
Wow! How amazing it is that you chose me to be your father. It was at the moment you were born
that I realized that there really is such a thing as unconditional love. I have to tell you, that realization
was inspiring, amazing and scary. You probably have only seen me stand tall like I have everything
under control but the first time I held you I was trembling like a leaf. The joy, excitement and pride
that I felt washed over me like the waters of Niagara Falls and buckled me to tears. Yes, Pops cried.
I cried tears of joy and tears of fear.
How is it that a man who is blind could
have vision enough to create a song about
his daughter called “Isn’t she lovely?” It’s
because of the connection that was created
at the moment we first held your precious
spirit in our arms. The bond and connection
strengthened when you came home. We
laughed and played until we both passed out.
We went to the zoo. We learned to ride a bike.
We have done all of the things and continue
to do those things that has allowed us to build
trust in one another mentally, spiritually and
emotionally. I say we learned because I have
learned just as much if not more about life
from you as you have from me. I say thank you
for teaching me valuable lessons about life
that I could only have received from you. You
see without you I am sure that I would have
continued my selfish ways which refused to
yield to the evidence that life did not revolve
around me. You have taught me how to truly
listen and be tender. You have taught me most of all that we come to this world with a purpose and
that service to others is one of those reasons. I say thank you for helping me evolve into a mature
man who now understands what unconditional love is.
I say I am sorry. I am sorry for all the times that I haven’t seemingly been available whether it is
physically or emotionally. I have to tell you that there are times when I know that I could have done
better. In the words of Mos Def “I ain’t no perfect man. I’m just trying to do the best that I can with
what it is that I have.” Whether it was evident or not, my reasons for doing everything from the time
you got here were you. I am hopeful that based on the time and energy that we put into developing
our connections you will chalk any pain I’ve caused up to my head and not to my heart. As I learned
better, I did better. Hopefully, you know me as a man who lives his life without regrets. I have a
confession about two regrets in life.
One is I regret not going to the “Million Man March”. This epic event is where over a million men
AMAZING WOMEN SPEAK!
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