The Runtyun

She was born the same month that I was, forty years later though. When the excitement of the birth was over and the baby was clean and wrapped up in her birthing cloths, when I stopped feeling woozy and found a certain control over my emotions. The nurse handed me the cooing little bundle–my daughter.

She was warm in my arms. All I could see were her eyes, they were so big. I know that at only a few minutes of age there is not very much for a baby to reference, yet she looked straight at me and she had me. At the time I did not know the adventures that I would go through as a father. The things I would endure as a parent and man. At the time all I saw were eyes and a bright red pudgy face and a little bubble of saliva at the corner of her mouth.

I put her down on the birthing table and just stared. What had I done? This little creature, perfect with ten toes and ten fingers, one little head that looked too big for that little body. What had I done? I put my hand out to her to see what she would do. Nothing. I guess she could not see–being only few minutes old. My finger brushed her hand, she did not jump, but reached out and gripped my finger. She was strong!

She would have to be strong coming into the life I was involved in. We went through a few struggles before getting to the somewhat stable life we live now. During her toddler years she was very out going. Her smile in the morning was brighter than the sun at sunrise. It carried me through some of my darkest days.

Now she is so wise, yet strangely naive. She can understand things beyond her years, yet in another minute ask a question so innocent that I can only wonder. The Runtyun is growing into a fine person despite my parenting skills.

I have stumbled through this whole parenting experiment and you know what? She is doing pretty well despite me.


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Vacation! A little guilt and some fun too!


The Runtyun seems to be getting inline for a very active summer. She is scheduled for camp and hopefully if I can get my stuff together, she will also go to adventure camp where they go to a different place every day. Mostly they go to various swimming holes and frolic in the beauty of nature. I am sooo jealous.
The real exiting news though, is she will be going to a camp sponsored by her church. It is an overnight camp starting on Sunday and finishing on Saturday. What a great experience. Their day will be filled with activities and spiritual education.
Finally and the biggest thing is she will be going to her aunt’s for two weeks this summer. Wow what a great time that should be. Her aunt is active in so many things and the area they live in is so exciting; once again I am so jealous.
While I am really happy that my little Runtyun is going to have an exciting summer, unlike ones in the past where she gets up, goes to camp and then I get her and we go home, just like every other day of school, I am excited for me! I love my little girl, but it will be super to have a vacation too! I have been planning a solo trip with camping and riding. I’ll do some hiking and maybe even finally get to the Motorcycle Museum in Maggy Valley. When I am not riding, I’ll be doing my regular job, but I will not have to mind her. I will not have to constantly look over her shoulder to make sure she is not getting into anything she should not. I will not have to remind her to clean her room.
I will miss her.
Though we have my family to help with the upbringing of the Runtyun, it is my function to be her guide, leader and father and parent. It will be great to let someone else take over the daily duties for a short time.
While she is gone having her various adventures I too will be having fun. I will be doing some things that I have not done in a long time and even trips that I have never done. I know she will be safe. Yet I feel a little guilty in my anticipation of a vacation from my Runtyun.
Any one have anything to say about this? Let me know what you think.
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