Dad Things (And Other Interesting Things) - Issue #4

Today is Christmas and I hope everyone spent today with friends and family. I wanted to keep this one short because of the holiday so one quick story.

I mentioned previously that I subscribe to that Daily Dad newsletter and creating content daily seems tough and I do see some overlap in their content. One topic that seems to pop up constantly is the idea of spending time with your kids. I think that’s a good reminder especially since we can get easily caught up in the commercial aspects of the holiday season.

The kids are on Christmas break, so that means no school and they are home all day. Our 4 year old loves to play so he’s constantly asking me to play. “Daddy can you come play with me?” “Daddy can you come upstairs?” “Daddy can you help me find my toy?” We don’t have our parents here to help watch him and Mary and I both work from home, so you can see the challenge. The amount of attention he requires is absolutely draining but, as with all aspects of parenting, you can eventually see the payoff. Every once in awhile, when we are playing with trains or cars or reading a book, Clydee will stop and say, “Daddy, you’re my best friend” and it absolutely melts my heart and makes everything worth it. I will always put off work or that thing I need to do to play or spend time with my kids because every minute that passes is a minute they get older.

Before I share some links, thanks again to everyone who opens this email and to all new subscribers. And if you find any of this interesting, please forward to someone who might also enjoy this.

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Links

Almost Famous: “I Was in The Black Eyed Peas. Then I Quit.”

Let me start off by saying I hate the Black Eyed Peas. They started off as a relatively unknown hip hop act that gained popularity and then all of sudden exploded. I had no idea they had a previous female singer before Fergie. I had always thought they added her to broaden their appeal. Turns out they always had a female to sing their hooks but she left the group when their label wanted her to “sex it up”. Her story is fascinating and much respect for sticking to your values over selling out to be someone you are not.

How Rosa Porto created the most beloved bakery in all of Los Angeles

If at any point in your life lived in LA or Orange County, you know about Porto’s. This article is a great story about a Cuban woman trying to make it in America and creating a cultural institution in the process. Rosa Porto will be missed.

Merry

Late last night, inspecting Santa’s handiwork, a simple thought occurred to me. A decade or so from now, when, say, I’m waiting for my son to come home from college for his winter break, and, when he does, he wants to spend his time going out with his friends — how much will I be willing to pay then to be able to go back in time, for one day, to now, when he’s eight years old, he wants to go to movies and play games and build Lego kits with me, and he believes in magic?

How much then, for one day with what my family has right now? How much? Everything.

The truth is, I’m the luckiest person in the world today. I hope you are too.

This post is from 8 years ago and while I got it, I never quite understood it. I totally get it now. I hope you are all lucky today too.