The Doctor's Prescriptions

My Christmas Angel

There used to be a time when I considered it unmanly to cry. I used to complain a lot, but cry? That usually was reserved for rare circumstances...like when my beloved 49ers lost to the Giants in the 1990 NFC championship.

Then Katie came into my life.

From that point on, happy tears have been on the verge of streaming down at any point. How can I help it?

Katie, you are the most adorable, loving and sweet little girl I have ever known. You fill my heart with constant joy and you are the reason you so often see your dad with tears in his eyes. I look at you and see you grow and learn and achieve and my heart swells with happiness.

Before you were born I always wondered what it would be like to be a dad. As I grew older I looked forward to that day, but never did I imagine how wonderful it would be. This is a case where the reality far outweighs any dream or expectation I ever had.

Katie you are the reason that is so. From the first moment your mom and I learned you were coming, you were a part of me.

The first time I saw you was on an ultrasound when you were three months old. As your mom and I walked into the lobby following that beautiful first look, we heard Stevie Wonder’s “Sunshine of my Life,” on the office radio.

From then until the day I die I will always believe that was a sign from God. Katie, you are the sunshine of daddy’s life.

Before you were born your dad was not a morning person. He loved sleeping in and considered anything before 11 a.m. the middle of the night. Now he wakes up early each day with excitement and thanks God because he gets to spend another day with you.

That is especially true right now because tomorrow is Christmas. It’s almost a lock that daddy will have tears in his eyes tomorrow because this is the first Christmas that you can open presents and have an understanding of what is going on around you. What your dad looks forward to more than anything is seeing the happy look on your face when you receive your presents.

It’s that smile that melts daddy’s heart whenever he sees it. It’s that smile which makes every day feel like Christmas.

One day, when you are older, Katie, you will probably ask your dad what he wants for Christmas. Honestly, I will almost always respond with the same thing.

“Nothing.”

Seeing you smile, seeing you happy, seeing you grow, seeing the warmth you share with everyone you come in contact with...that is my present. That is the present that keeps your daddy smiling all year long.

No presents are necessary, Katie. You’ve already made your daddy happy enough.

You are his Christmas blessing.