Tracing My Life

Parental Instincts

As far back as I can remember I have been a very protective person. I guard those I care about without thought of myself. I would gladly give my life if it meant protecting the people I cherish. The bonds between friends, between families, between siblings are all so strong and yet so very different. The bond I cherish the most is that of a father to his daughter. This is the bond I desire most. I want a baby girl of my very own. I want the bond my father had with my sister. I used to playfully tell the woman I wanted to have a child with to hope it would not be a girl, because I know if it were I would love that little girl more than life itself. And I would hate to ever have to make a choice between the two women that would control my heart. I already pray for those magical memorable moments; like pressing my ear to my love’s pregnant belly to listen to the faint little heartbeat. Or that moment I am finally able to hold her closely in my arms to my chest and caress her darling face. Or even the moment she first falls and scrapes her knee and I am there to kiss it better. The love for a daughter is an absolute love that is unlike any other, the pure ecstatic joy that fills a daughter’s face when she see’s her father come home from work. The joy that only a father can bring to his daughters laughter, and the smile only a father can sneak past his crying daughter’s tears. There is something about it that is so special, so precious, so delicate, and I want it.