The Lion Roars

Day 268:

It's been a rough couple of weeks, Conor... And for a million reasons I won't even get into.   Though when I'm ripped and torn from 50 or more hours in the office, time on the road, life's frustrations and and its petty trials, there's one thing I've grown to depend on and I'd bet you can guess what it is... It's you, Boy'O.  Always you.

When I came into the house this evening I was as low as I'd been in some time.  Just not myself...  Then, like beacon of light after weeks at sea, there you were... And when you saw me you lit up as only the Lion Heart can...  It's truly amazing what a smile from you can do for me, Son.  In an instant I was soaring!  My heart skipped a beat and I smiled back to you, and then and there you let out a huge squeal as if to say, "It's you!  My Dad!  My best friend and greatest admirer!" and my soul was cleansed, even if only for a moment...

When you eventually read this Conor, you won't get it.  You'll think you will!  But you won't... And I know that because I didn't.  I put stock into material things not worth putting stock in to.  I found that those things only existed for the moment but that in the end, they were only temporary.  Passing moments to mask remnants of a bad day...  And don't get me wrong, Boy'O...  There'll be plenty of things and plenty of people who'll make you happy in those times!  You'll always love them and you'll truly believe there's simply nothing better!  And for that reason it'll be real to you!  But when the day comes you meet your own son or daughter, you'll all the sudden realize there's no greater calling in one's life.  There's no higher honor.  No bigger task.  There's only love.

That's what you showed me tonight, Conor.  Pure innocence.  Pure love.  Lightning in a bottle, Boy'O.  And for me, it's you.  Conor Daniel Yerkes.  Conor the Lion Heart.  My son.  You mean more to me than I could ever show you, Conor.  And all I can say is thank you.

"I got my hands on a miracle, and there ain't no way that you'll take it away."
--Dave Grohl

I love you, Son.  Always.
-Dad