Every Story has a Beginning

Emm Bemm and E,

I want to provide a written account of the past and present history of our family while you are young, so that you can have this information in the future. It's kinda of a cool thing to be able to know what your parents did before you could remember being around. Someday, you'll be able to look at this information and see the human side of your parents, warts and all.

The reason for the blog is two-fold. First, there are lots of things I would like to explain to you now that I cannot for a number of reasons. I'd also like to give you a history of how your Mom and I became who we are, explain how I met your Mom, and the tribulations and exciting times we had together before you both came along. Think of these words as an open diary, or better yet, think of it as a stream of consciousness. The beatniks of the 50s and 60s (slightly more useful human beings than the completely useless hippies of the late 60s) often performed poetry in a "free association" style which I will, from time to time, mimic here. Sometimes I'll share words of wisdom and opinions. Other times, I'll be more carefree and post some funny stuff or items of trivial importance . So I'll be all over the place. You can pretend you're Kal-El putting the crystals in place in the Fortress of Solitude, receiving the words of Jor-El.

The second reason for the blog is a quite serious one. As you might remember, your Mom and I lost James Paul when he was stillborn 19 weeks into Mom's pregnancy in 2010. It was a very difficult time for us, as I'm sure you now understand. Even though the family came together even closer after going through this ordeal, the wound inflicted will be one we will take to our graves. It's due to the nature of the loss and there's not much one can do to make it better, other than live as best as one can, day in and day out. I expect that as time goes by, the hurt will recede, but the truth of the matter is that it will never go away. This blog is a way to help cope with our loss, since you both are still here with us. We pray that you both live long and happy lives.

Another question I struggled with was whether I would make the blog public. I cherish our family's privacy, but I also felt that making blog public was the best way to insure the thoughts shared in this diary will be saved forever. Worst case, someone or some program somewhere will save this information in infinite perpetuity.

And so we begin. Let me first offer some initial words of wisdom:

1. Try to have a good, solid laughing fit as often as you can (nothing feels quite like it).
2. Never be afraid to laugh at yourself. Some of the best humor is self-deprecating.
3. Don't take yourself so seriously that you drive yourself nuts trying to live you life. There are times to be serious and there are times where levity is more appropriate.
   

Love you both,
Dad