A lucky fool

Case,

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, which means finally I can stop reminding myself to buy a card for your mom. Actually, I haven't been putting off buying the card for the usual reasons -- I always remember important things at the worst possible time (I tend to be reminded of what I need to do between the hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. when doing them is impossible) and I have made a frustrating sport of procrastination (I apparently don't have enough deadline pressure at work). No, I've been putting this off because I wanted to write something more than "I love you, baby" on the card. I've written thousands upon thousands of words over the last six years. Writing saved my life. But your mom showed me why it was worth saving. I feel bad that I've been so busy that I haven't come up with another poem or song to write on that card (sorry, baby; I really do love you -- more than ever). So, in lieu of that, I'm going to leave you with a few words I wrote about your mom when I first realized she was the one I wanted to put off buying Valentine's Day cards for (side note: don't ever let anyone tell you you can't end a sentence with a preposition). When you get older, I can show my "work" from the days before your mom came along. It's important to me, and I think much of it will be useful to you. But until then, trust me that what you are about to read is a seismic shift in how one man sees the world.

Four in one

You don't just make me laugh
You don't just make me smile
You make me feel like new again
despite the many miles

You don't just give me hope
You don't just give me praise
You make me feel like I can't wait
to greet the coming days

I've known smart and I've known funny
I've known beautiful and cool
But to know all four in one
I know I'm a lucky fool

You don't just make my day
You don't just make my night
You make me feel that in between
I'm doing something right

You don't just give me hope
You don't just give me praise
You make me feel that I have reached
the end of this long maze

You don't just take the cake
You surely take the time
And unafraid you ventured in
with quick wit and like mind

You see me like a scope
without a hint of haze
The focus of a pretty sight
on which I fix my gaze

I've known smart  and I've known funny
I've known beautiful and cool
But to know all four in one
I know I'm a lucky fool

You don't just make me laugh
You don't just make me smile
You make me feel like new again
despite the many miles

You don't just give me hope
You give me something more
You make me feel like I have found
what I'd stopped looking for


Love,
Dad