This was an easy pick for me, because it is probably my favorite image I've ever been a part of - as a parent. This picture was taken by Kristen in 2003 during a visit to California to see Addison and Amy, and it was the first time Miles took a look at the ocean. He was about 18 months old.
For me this image represents what is undeniably one of the most wonderful things about being a parent, and that is having the blessing of seeing the world through the eyes of your child. Discovery is a big part of that. And in the case of a very young child, many of those moments are filled with the awe and wonder of nature. The discovery has been changing very gradually over time. (Right now, as I sit at the computer and write this, Miles is in the living room discovering how to play the E minor scale on a recorder), and I can only imagine what the future holds. No matter how big or small the discovery - I feel very fortunate to be a part of this process with Miles and Emery.
Back to Sam Stryke. He wrote a beautiful piece of music ('By My Side') and has set it to images in a short media presentation he calls 'For The Dads.' You might recognize Miles and me ...
Thanks, Sam, for sharing your composition with us, and for allowing some of us 'dads' to be a part of helping you create it.
And a very happy Father's Day to my own father, my father-in-law, and to my brother. All of whom - I hope - are enjoying a great day today.
