His Smile...

In today's world of digital media it seems that nothing goes uncovered.  The more outrageous and deplorable acts take the headlines, and it can be easy to lose faith in our fellow man as each day these stories are painfully covered from all angles until the next one comes along.

But there's still good news to be found out there, and I have a breaking story I'd like to announce:  We have a smiling baby...

There’s not much I won’t do to earn that smile.  Baby talk, funny faces, goofy dances...he really likes when we hit mailboxes with the car….Don't tell mom. I’ll go to great lengths for a grin. Off key singing will do the trick, bicycle legs can get the job done as well.  And if that’s not working I’m not above going straight for the belly tickles, always a smile-getter.

That smile is the best thing going in my life and it's all I need to lift my spirits and make it all worthwhile...that and his mother of course. Throw in a giggle and I’m set for the week. 

I’m a sucker for that smile.

But it also causes a dilemma for me.  As a new dad comes a newfound worry and stress that I've never before experienced. I've become awfully soft, as I know that someday he’ll lose the innocence in that sweet little smile (no, not that innocence).  There’s pain and hardship in the world, and it will find him one day whether I like it or not.  I know, man up, right?  Grab some chewing tobacco and teach that boy how to fend for himself.  

After a good tickle fight of course...