As we enter into a New Year we first reflect on the previous year. There will undoubtedly be aspects of our life that have been exhilarating and taken a breath away. There have also been times that will have tried our patience and prompted us to ask the question ‘What am I doing this for?’
I am very aware that my 2013 was a very special year and one which I will hold dear to my heart. Of all the changes and decisions made in 2013 the greatest moment was on Christmas Day when my wife and I became parents for the first time. Sienna May Kempton was born. The moment she was placed onto my wife’s chest, all covered up, was the moment my life changed forever.
There are moments of poetry in a person’s life and Sienna’s birth was certainly one of them. I proposed to Beth on her birthday in Japan at a place called Arashiyama. Arashiyama translates to ‘storm mountain’. From entering the hospital on December 23rd a storm was brewing. The wind whistled and buffeted the top floors of the hospital block. The windows shuddered in their ageing frames and in the distance the waves pounded the beach. At 02:56 on Christmas Day morning the weather came to a crescendo with a flash of lighting and Sienna was born.
The 72 hours leading up to the birth had been tiring, trying and during the quieter moments soul searching. However every single moment was forgotten and replaced by euphoria and then seconds later a little dread. This little person’s whole life was now solely dependent upon how we deal with becoming parents.
Any one who has experienced parenthood and especially the first few weeks it is a blur. Every single plan and routine we had hoped for flew out the window. Sleep deprivation makes the simplest of tasks seem utterly unachievable. However you find a way. You do the bare essentials. I can not tell you how many untouched cups of tea and coffee I have found around our house.
A few nights ago however I was sat up in the early hours of the morning with her asleep on my chest. I just gazed at her. I fast forwarded through her life wondering what her hair will look like, what impact her smile will have on me, how her laugh will sound to what her friends will look like and how will she decide to spend her life. I knew at that very moment that all I want her to do is what ever she loves and enjoys the most. Our decision to form Do What You Love and strive to help inspire change had never been more vindicated. Yes you can argue the ‘doing what you love’ could be deemed whimsical and unrealistic but I want nothing else for my daughter.
I have also witnessed first hand over the last few years so many women – a lot single parents – make courageous decisions that have subsequently formed a new life for their families. They have followed their intuition and their inner voice to create a life they are proud of and that they love. What better example to our children is there!
Beth and I are more motivated than ever to help others make changes in their lives. Our children deserve the very best. They also deserve to enjoy their parents. To experience who they are as a person and not the shell of a person that society can return home of an evening. No it won’t always be easy but it is definitely worth while.
What example would you like to set for your children?
Until next time,
Mr K
