Monday's are always tough for me and Mae. The drop-in center isn't open (a place I can take Mae to let her run around with other kids - and there's snacks, too!) - and our sing-along class isn't until Tuesday. So - we go for a long walk in the morning and stop off for our own snacks. It'll get easier once the weather warms up a bit - I can take her to the park - maybe let her wade out in Lake Ontario with the geese...

As we were walking home this morning, an elderly lady stopped me. She just said, "You didn't see that in MY day!". I didn't know what she was talking about - so I just said - "what?"... She went on to tell me that you just didn't see father's out pushing strollers - they were all off at work while the mom's took care of the children and the household.

I wasn't sure if what she was saying was a compliment - and my face must have shown it. She put her hand on mine and said, "I think it's wonderful what you're doing. She'll grow up a much stronger woman - and she'll appreciate you and love you so much more".

I don't get much encouragement from people. I get a lot of people asking how I'm doing with the stress and strain of it all - or if I wish I were doing something else --- and I usually just shrug it off. I mean - what am I suppose to say? These are the choices I made. Mae is my daughter - and I have a second chance of actually being part of of my child's life - playing a very active role.

I believe in some ways, I'm setting an example for not just other fathers - but for my girls who are all grown up now. I'm hoping they're a little envious of Mae - but I'm also hoping they see that I had it in me after all -- a bit of selflessness and dedication to raising their baby sister...

Thanks to the lady down the street -- you made my year.

Listening to: Fields of Gold - Eva Cassidy

sannah kvist