I've finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up.
Not an artist, like I wanted to be as a kid.1
Not an actuary, like I briefly considered in high school.2
Not a computer animator, like I yearned to be into my early 20s.3
Not a web designer, like I have been the past 10+ years.4
Not even a novelist, which I'm still striving to be today.5
No, what I want to be when I grow up is a dad.
I'll be getting my wish soon enough; my son is due in one month. Many people have told me I'll be a great dad, and I believe them. I'm going to be a wonderful father.
Now all I have to do is grow up.
1 I figured out early on I'd never be willing to sell anything I made unless I disliked how it turned out. To date, I've only parted with pieces as gifts. No money has ever exchanged hands.
2 And I mean briefly.
3 It's just as well. That industry never really caught on anyway.
4 Don't worry, Maureen. I'm not quitting. Yet.
5 Although I'm doing a piss-poor job of it. Since the beginning of last year I've now written 127 blog posts, but only 1½ chapters in my novel. (Also, eight short stories, but that hardly excuses the depressingly low chapter count.)
You never know. Maybe your son is just the very person you need in your life to inspire you to get that novel done, just so you can him proud of his old man.
ReplyDeleteThis has got to be such an exciting time for you. Crossing my fingers for you that everything goes well!
Don't bother growing up - you and your son will have more fun if you don't.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Alex! Stay young and your son will thank you for it when he's older!
ReplyDeleteAlso, i barely know you, and i suspect you'll be a spectacular father
I don't think you'll be getting much writing done in the near future either. On the plus side you will start seeing poo in places you've never seen it before. On the sofa, in your hair, on top of the wardrobe...
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
congrats on the forth coming child.
ReplyDeleteI came to the conclusion long ago that what I wanted to be when I grew up was retired.
Jeffrey, tell you what. It could still be a while before my son comes along, so go ahead and uncross your fingers. You can cross 'em again for me when the big day arrives.
ReplyDeleteAlex, don't worry; I won't grow up completely. But I should appear to be responsible, for the sake of Child Services.
Falen, thanks for the vote of confidence! So now I just have to decide which not-growing-up route to take: Toys 'R' Us kid or a Peter Pan's Lost Boy?
mood: What? You don't believe I can do a bunch of one-handed incoherent writing? I'll show you. (And I do hope you left the h off the end of poo accidentally.)
Budd: Ooh, I'd completely forgotten that before I hit upon writing, "retired" was my standard answer to that question. Methinks I need to combine the two into "stay-at-home dad."
Growing up is overrated. Congratulations on your soon-to-be sleep-sucking but joyful and life-fulfilling child.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll make a better father if you don't grow up :) Congratulations on the new baby!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kari. But sleep-sucking, joyful, and life-fulfilling? This kid has big shoes to fill. (I'm kidding, of course; we haven't bought him any shoes.)
ReplyDeleteGirl Friday, that seems to be the consensus. From now on if anyone tells me to grow up, I'll simply respond with "Make me."
I have to say, grown ups are way overrated! Don't grow up, you'll be far more relatable and way more fun. Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. Make it a point to enjoy every single moment, it goes by very quickly. I only know you via this blog, but I think you'll definitely be a great dad, funny goes a long way!
ReplyDeleteI hereby dub thee "Overlord" - a blogger changing the world one post at a time. Please come by and pick up your award.
ReplyDeleteHeather: Okay, I won't grow up. (And I so wanted to be taller.) But that is my plan, to enjoy every single moment I can. And to nap often.
ReplyDeleteLaurie: Thanks for the award! I don't know how much my posts actually change the world (with the exception of this one), but I certainly could get used to having minions. I'll stop by soon to pick it up.
YYYYAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete