No list of things for which I am thankful would be complete without my kids. There are days when I joke, asking Kerri how I let her talk me into having more than one. As an only child the noise and activity are things for which I wasn’t prepared. I’ll be honest; I told her I wanted lots of kids. I clearly had no idea what I was getting myself into, but that’s OK.

For Jake

So, I’m starting with Jake. Why him?

He is a solar dervish, emitting endless life and constant energy.

Because he’s our middle child, and middle children too often get the short end of the stick.

Because he was born near the end of Rob’s life, and too many of those early days were spent in hospitals, away from home, tending to others.

Because of all our children, he is the least like me. Though he carries my name, he’s olive, dark, and wavy-haired like his mother. His eyes are endless pools that soak up my soul. He is a solar dervish, emitting endless life and constant energy.

Because he and I clash like titans, and I am just now, three years into his life, discovering how to be his dad.

Because it is hardest for me to communicate love to him in ways that he understands, though I love him deeply and long for him to grasp as much of that as possible.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for Jake.