(Sunset or Sunrise-it is a beginning either way)
Hic Sunt Dracones. No, my spell check is not broken. It's Latin, and it translates to Here Are Dragons. The phrase used to appear on maps in the 1500's. The Lenox Globe and the Egg Globe are the only two surviving maps/ globes that have this inscription. The phrase along with images of dragons were placed on maps in areas that had not been explored. I have been hearing that phrase in my head lately.
It has been an enjoyable weekend. One of the last few before we are three. Yesterday we went and got photos of the henna that Jen had done on her belly, and as we were finishing up the outside photos there was a rainbow in the southeastern sky. I have always liked seeing rainbows, and even though I understand how they are formed, they still amaze me. Today Jen and I had a wonderful morning. It was a nice spring day here in Colorado and Jen and I went out to breakfast. We have been having good conversations lately about the sprout and our thoughts, hopes, and expectations of ourselves and him. Talking about times in our childhood and about traits in the children of our friends. It is fun. While we were walking around Boulder we were talking and enjoying the day. We stopped in a yarn shop and Jen got a needlepoint design with pirate images. And I thought of dragons again.
When we were talking at breakfast I was saying that I am looking forward to a true adventure where there are true unknowns. Yeah I know that there will be the usual late nights, throw-up, wiping up poo, pee, and throw-up. I know that there will be pink-eye, broken bones and hearts, and fevers. And all the other things that are shown in movies, sitcoms, and from things I have seen watching kids for 30 years. I consider those things to be part of the gig. And for the most part, fairly easy to handle. I know, all you parents out there are snickering at me knowingly. Ask me in 7 months how those known things are going in the gig.
I am excited about the unknown things. The things that caused me to consider even sharing this journey with folks. And what I think is causing an almost tangible excitement in my head on a daily basis. I am looking forward to meeting the little goober, and getting to know him as he grows into being him. I am looking forward to watching him explore the world and discover his gifts and then share them with the world. I am excited to watch him succeed and fail. And yes, to even not be too attached to all of those adventures. I look forward to the nervousness of not being able to protect him forever. I know that sounds a little crazy, and I am curious how I will handle it all. It will be a journey. I have this notion in my head that being a father will be an amazing journey with an incredible attachment to a single being, and at the same time not being too attached to how I think things should turn out.
I was telling Jen that I want him to be exposed to all sorts of things like nature, art, music, physical challenges, sports, different cultures, beliefs, food, and even risk. We both want these things. I want him to be good at things he works at. I want him to push himself and to explore curiosity. And I know all of this is a process, and process can be messy. I have had some great adventures in my life. And I know that this one will be pretty amazing. No matter what happens.
Adventure is out there.