Father Nurture

Andy takes good care of our family.  Most of the time he surrenders his own needs so effortlessly I bet he wouldn't even consider it a sacrifice.  But it is.  He foregoes golf and instead serves as caddie to his own little people, attendant to plush balls, pill bottles, story books and wooden blocks.  He fishes infrequently, sparing the rod he opts to spend time cuddling kids in the hammock and looking at "panes" in the sky and talking about the shapes the clouds take; from our very own backyard he casts love far beyond its intended spot.  He puts his preferred dinner menu on the back burner and, in place of his true gourmand, plays a short order cook who's willing to whip up whatever the rest of us want.

 CEB, Father's Day 2008 -- and TEB, Father's Day 2010

I marvel at this man, at his ability to be the father who his children need, and the partner who I don't deserve.  At the way he forgives my impatience and irritability, recognizing that I’m usually just yearning for Celia, or sleep, when I'm cross with him.  I marvel at how our hands fit together, like a jigsaw puzzle, pieces perfectly cut for each other.  At the way, when he steps into the room, my heart still rises to meet him.  He softens the edges around hard times, makes good moments even better, and sustains our family in so many ways.
JEB