“Dad, tell that story again about the time I stabbed you.” My younger teen daughter, Lindsay, makes this request every few months or so with a giggle. And while she’s the villain of the story, it also features one of my not-so-flattering moments as a parent — one of those many bloopers that all families experience when things don’t go as planned. At age 4, Lindsay attended a summer art class that she absolutely loved. When my older daughter, Lauren, and I went to pick her up from class one day, only Lindsay and the teacher remained. She was not quite finished with her art … [Read more...]
Staying Above the Water to Save His Son
My son, he is floating away. He can't swim, he's only 3. The water is cold, my hands are numb. I'm not sure how long I can hold on. I'm afraid we are going to die. I may have just killed my son. I've relived this nightmare in my dreams more than I care to remember. Every time I get near open water with my children it starts rushing back and paralyzes me. You would think that even though it happened early in his life that my son would have no recollection of it but he reminds me of it every time he sees a canoe which makes it much harder. August of 2008. We spent a weekend in Canada at … [Read more...]