Rant #1,904: Papa Was a Rolling Stone (For the Past 29 Years)

From the day I had my birthday on April 28 through to the end of the month of May, so many personal milestones take place that I have to say that even though April is my favorite month, May might be my most important month on the calendar.

For instance, 29 year ago today, on May 15, 1988, I became a father for the first time.

The story is a long one, and I am not going to go into it here, but today, I became a father when my daughter was born.

I remember the day like it was yesterday, and actually, she was born in the wee hours of the morning, and as I write this, the exact time has just passed, as she was born at 4:15 in the morning.

What a stupendous time that was, because I never thought that I would ever be a father, and I could not imagine being a father to the little puff ball with pitch black hair on her head that was my daughter 29 years ago today.

I remember holding her and thinking to myself, "I helped to create this kid," and it was really, truly extraordinary.

I had a little daughter, and now, I had to really become an adult, whether I liked it or not, because this little bundle of joy could not yet do anything for herself.

What happened in the aftermath really isn't that important right now, although in the grand scheme of things, it is important, but through the years, I tried to be the best father I could be to her, even though most of my fathering was at a distance.

I made sure she spoke to me and saw me each and every week when she was growing up, and although I know she couldn't understand why our relationship had to be this way, it was what it was, and we all did the best we could with it, including her.

There have been lots of bumps in the road during the past 29 years, but I have told her time and time again that I am very proud of her, I am very proud of her accomplishments, and proud of her growing into a productive person.

No, I don't agree with her on many things, but she is my daughter, and as I have since day one, I will stand up for her 100 percent on everything.

I wish I could see her more, but that is what it is, and I try not to beat myself up over it, even though being human, and being who I am, I can't help but think about it.

But she is turning out fine.

Unlike her old man, my daughter was able to get out of what she considered to be an untenable situation at her workplace, and she found another job, a more challenging job for herself, with better pay and better benefits.

She begins that job today, and I wish her all the success in the world.

Ironically, her training will be in the outskirts of my old neighborhood in Jamaica, Queens, in the downtown area, and I guess what comes around goes around, and we can't get that neighborhood out of our veins, even if it is the next generation that will experience it.

Again, I wish her the best, and I am sure she will do well with her new vocation.

But going back to the original theme of this Rant ... 29 years. I cannot believe how the time has passed, right before my eyes.

Simply incredible, and I wish my daughter not only success in her new workplace, I also wish her a great birthday.

And next year, she will hit the big 3-0 ... that makes me feel older than me hitting the big 6-0 a few days ago!