Dan the Man

Today is Daniel's birthday. He is 11 years old! Daniel has always had the nickname, "Dan the Man." That title applies to him now, more than ever. He is such a mature kid, he always has been. Sure, he can be a goofball like most 11 year old boys, but he is also steady in ways beyond his years. He is a wonderful boy, and I feel so blessed to have him as part of our family.

Soon after Charles passed away, I told Daniel he is now the man of the house. He seems to have been prepared for this job. Daniel is one tough-cookie. One of Daniel's jobs as the man of the house is to call on someone to pray for family prayers. Another one of his jobs is to take out the trash -- I know so glamorous. Daniel is something special. I have known this from the very beginning.

Daniel has been through some rough stuff in his life. When he was born, he had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, he was the color grey, and not breathing. I can remember screaming in my dilusional state, "Breath, baby! Just BREATH!" It took a bit of time, but he recovered, and turned from the color grey, to the color of life. It seemed that he was not too keen on coming to this world, but he seemed to give in, and finally take his first breath of life.

Daniel has been our most injured child. He has had tons of injuries on the school playground, and he has had more stitches than I can even recall. One of his more severe injuries was falling on a chain-link bridge, landing on his gums, splitting them open, requiring oral surgery. He also ran into a pole on the playground and split his head open, which required over 20 stitches (you can see the scar in the picture above). His trips to the Urgent Care were once very frequent, including one trip where we had old stitches removed, while having new stitches put in for another flesh wound -- crazy boy! However, since he has worn glasses, he has had no injuries -- go figure.

I just love this boy. We have been running together lately, and doing workouts at the park. When we go out running on the trails together we always talk about daddy, in a very light and positive way that makes him feel very close. Daniel loves his daddy. They were great buddies. Charles was a beautiful example of what a man should be, and so Daniel has a wonderful example to follow. Thanks, Charles!

I can hardly believe that Daniel only has 7 years left with me before he will go on a mission at 18. The way time is flying now, that seems like no time at all. I look forward to Daniel's future, and all that he will accomplish. I do not care what he chooses to be when he grows-up, I just want him to be happy, and faithful to God.

Daniel has such a simple and awesome faith, it is fun to watch. He has great power in his prayers -- there is something special about a Daniel prayer. I am glad to have him around to help protect the family with his prayers. It will be really exciting when he gets the priesthood, and can use it to bless the lives of others, and also to have it as a presence in our home.

Daniel mentioned to me that many great men lost their fathers when they were young, and now he joins the ranks with those great men. I am grateful Daniel had so much time with Charles to learn and grow from him, and his example. There will always be a piece of Charles with him. The best pieces of Daniel are from my sweet Charles.

May Daniel follow in the footsteps of his father, and be a man of God.

Dan the Man, you are AWESOME! WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Happy Birthday!