Letters to My Unborn Child: Finding Hope

A long time from now, you’ll read this and hopefully understand. Until that day comes, this father can hopefully understand.

Life is full of changes. Don't fear them, but embrace them. From the moment you mother and I first found out you were coming, everything changed.

We had been in our house in Camp Point for a year and a half, in the middle of fixing a flooded basement, and now we had to build a nursery. I was getting restless in my job at the TV station, and the news of you pushed me to make more time for this growing family...to find a new job. And as for the journey into parenthood itself, it brings a certain amount of uncertainty.  

With all these big changes, questions and worries, for me it brought a lot of self doubt that I've never experienced before. What do I do? Can I do it? What is it? Am I ready? I'll be honest, sometimes it all felt overwhelming. Like I was doggypaddling in syrup...moving a lot but still stuck.

I'm sure you will go through times like these. Your mind is mess, you can't sleep, sometimes can't eat, words fail you. But there is hope...there is always hope.

No matter how alone you feel, how painful it may be, with the help of those around you, you will get through this too. It will be ok. This worry may seem huge right now, but it will never be as big as it is at this very moment. A year from now, you will forget what you were even worrying about.

Perspective can be your worst enemy or your best friend. You can look at the tiny details or the big picture, but don't let what happened yesterday or what could happen tomorrow ruin today. Our fatigue is often caused not by our actions, but by worry, frustration and resentment.

Finding hope can be hard, but it is always there. Your mother and I will always be there for you. True friends will always be there for you. Sometimes what you need may be as simple as a hug, a word of encouragement, a great slice of pizza or a solid knock knock joke. Sometimes you may need someting bigger like a long walk, a short vacation or a completely different viewpoint. Look at it this way, changes are just challenges waiting to be conquered. In the end and in it's very essence, love is hope. Surround yourself with loved ones and hope will find you.  

Love, Dad 

It is not the cares of today, but the cares of tomorrow, that weigh a man down.  ~George MacDonald