Sunday, June 21, 2009

To Matthew


My emotions are always close to the surface on Father's Day. Today especially.

You see, ten years ago today I became the father of a son.

I have two girls, one older and one younger than Matthew. I love them with all my heart. Being the father of daughters is so exquisite an experience. They are beauty and grace. They are elegance and light. They are the crown jewels of my life.

Being the father of a son is different.

Having a son is chance to pass on things that you cannot pass on to your daughters. Your name. It's a chance to mold a new man. A chance to try and refine the things you wish you had done better. To teach nobility and honor. A chance to learn, from his perspective, what it truly means to be a man.




To Matthew:

Ten years ago this evening was one of the most precious days of my life. It was the day I met you. You scared us by coming into the world a little too early, and with a few too many complications.

That day was the first time I had cried since my own father had died, six months earlier. I cried when I thought of passing my name on to you, as my father had passed his on to me. I felt my dad there, briefly, an unbroken line of the generations.

You were a delightful baby, so easy going, so uncomplicated. Your personality was manifest, even at that early date.




Matthew, the past ten years of watching you grow, from a child to a young man have been so rewarding for me. You are a wonderful young man. You are an amazing son.

You are noble.

You are kind.




You are unselfish and gracious.

You are wonderful friend.

You are an incredible brother.

You are funny.

You are Christlike.

You are forgiving of your father's many failings.

I am so proud to be your father. No son means more to a father than you do to me.

Matthew Christopher Thornblad: you bear my name, and you have never dishonored it. You make me want to be a better man.




When I grow up, I want to be just like you!

I love you Matt, happy birthday!

I do love all of my kids, here's proof:

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Matt!
Happy Father's Day Chris!!

Inday said...

You sound a brilliant, loving and very much a family man. A man who values his honour, and who upholds the name of his own father with valour. Something of a Pride, a Heritage that makes your own trademark.

My eyes are misty reading your blog. I am so touched by the powerful message you bring forth to this blog.

Matthew, along with your Crown Jewels, will no doubt inherit that strength coming from you. They will espouse your Family Values.

You are an excellent partner to your proverbial woman. She is so proud of you, very very proud of you.

The WORLD needs a MAN like you. The children of the World needs a FATHER like you.

One who never withhold his feelings, his own emotion, his love, his affection, his duty towards his wife, his children, his family and I have no doubt to his community, to his fellowmen, to his country and above all to his GOD.

Kudos! And may you live a long life to be the God-mold Father of your children you are.

Happy Father's Day!

(Father's Day in Australia is First Sunday of September).

By the way, here's something for you:

Your Matthew in my blog comments

Pam Emmons said...

Oh, little Matt isn't so little anymore! I remember what a chubby little one-year old he was when Pete and I got married. He is such an amazing little kid, and I am so glad that I get to be part of his life. He is such an example to Noah, and I will always love him for that. Tell him happy birthday from us, and we'll bring a present in a few weeks.
And happy fathers day to you! I love the video. It kicks my video's trash.

kayerj said...

happy fathers day :)

Mom24 said...

Happy Birthday! What a wonderful post. I hope he had a great day.

Jill @ Sneaky Momma said...

Beautiful post, Chris. Happy Father's Day!
Happy Birthday, Matthew! My daughter's birthday is today, too. :)

Wendy said...

Very sweet!

Suzanne said...

Yes - Matthew is a wonderful friend to my Kyle!

Corey~living and loving said...

What a moving post. Your son will be so blessed to have such a wonderfully written piece from his dad.

Alex @ I'm the Mom said...

Absolutely beautiful Chris. You truly have a way with words. Thank you for sharing such a magical letter to Matthew.

Melissa said...

Happy Birthday Matt (who shares a birthday with my first born, CJ)!!
Happy Father's Day to you.... after reading your blog, I must say that (without knowing you in real life) you seem like a wonderful husband and daddy... the way you talk about your wife and kids, it just sounds so genuine!!!

Momisodes said...

What an beautiful and touching tribute. I loved all of the photos and the clip. What a special Father's day and wonderful gift for your child.

imbeingheldhostage said...

oh stink, Chris-- I had gone all day without being weepy until now.
Beautiful Bday tribute and a wonderful new look at Father's Day.

Susan said...

Simply beautiful!
You made my cry.
Happy Birthday to Matthew and Happy Father's Day to you!
All of your children are certainly blessed to have you as a father and experience the beauty of your words and pictures.

Straight to Your Hart said...

Happy Birthday to you Matt and Happy Father's Day as well...

What a honor to read what you are passing on to your son as well...your Father would be so proud. A treasure indeed.

BTW...I have a tribute up of you. I hope to give you justice. Thank you for following me and being kind in your comments.

Terri said...

Happy Birthday Matthew.

Chris, you are such a gifted portrait photographer. Quit your day job. People would pay good money for photos like these of their kids.

sunshinesls said...

You are so sweet! Sounds like an awesome Father's Day!!

Kat said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!
He is a gorgeous boy.

Happy Birthday, Matthew!

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

Happy Birthday Matt!! What a special Father's Day to share.

Matt is a very lucky kiddo!

kisatrtle said...

What a wonderful post!

Holly said...

Thanks ... now I need a tissue.

What great expressions on his face you've captured!

Hope you had a rockin' Father's Day.