Moving to the Beat

Day 212:

Finding the the things that make you tick are about as much fun as anything I've known, Conor.  Today, while spending a solid hour of playtime with you on the floor of your nursery, I discovered you really enjoy percussion!  So much so that, as soon as you would fuss at all I would start drumming away and you would stop whatever you were doing and focus on me...  Your eyes would train in on mine and I would hammer out a clever little beat on my knees, on my chest, the floor, your legs; clapping, slapping, and popping...  You could't get enough!

I take some pride in this as I've always been able to hold a beat and carry a tune... In fact, on both sides of my family we've had singers, crooners, dancers, and just general lovers of music.  In my immediate family though, I'm really the only one to have ever really held a passion for it, and so when you started focussing in on the beat I was laying down, I have to say I really wasn't all that surprised!  Still, I've always felt as though I'd missed my calling to become the next great rock and roll drummer, and so maybe now you can fulfill that dream for me!  Of course, I don't want to you fulfill any dream for ME, rather for you... Always for you.  But if you chose to be a percussionist, well, let's just say I'd watch and listen to your efforts intently.

Yes Boy'O, being true to yourself is just another part of what it's all about... And when you're not true to yourself, you're cheating yourself.  I've often heard people say of their lives they have "no regrets".  I believe that means they've either never experienced the pain of a missed opportunity, or they're lying.  My guess is it's the latter.  How they live with that is up to them.  Frank Sinatra once said, "Regrets, I've had a few...", and I know just what he's talking about...  Because I've certainly had a few, Conor, and one of my great regrets was not getting into the drums early in my life!

The point is, Son, if it's what you want, you gotta go get it.  And if what moves you is a solid beat and some positive energy toward that beat, then I promise you, we'll get you a kit and watch you make some noise.  And what fun that would be!

I love you, Conor.
-Dad