This morning, when I woke up, I was feeling the effects of an ageing body! I had a headache, back and neck pain, and I was feeling exceptionally tired. Then the boy called!

He came into our room, jumped up and down on the bed, and then on my (very sore) back. My beloved was otherwise engaged, and so it was just me and the boy! 

We went upstairs to the rooftop, to exercise. I was doing sit-ups, stretches, running, he was riding his bike. He helped me with my exercises (by counting too fast for me to keep up).

I am sitting here, a few hours later, thinking about this with great warmth in my heart. Although my back still hurts, and the headache is still rampant, this was the highlight of my day – time with my boy. He was heartbroken this morning when I reminded him I had to go to work, and showed excitement that I would be spending the day with him tomorrow. My love for him seems to be eclipsed by his love for me!

My son doesn’t express his love to me like this every day. I have lost count of the number of times he has screamed “Daddy go away” at the top of his voice. This always hurts me, but it doesn’t change the fact that I love him, and that I know he loves me.

Along with love, comes a responsibility. A responsibility to raise this child to be a man of honour, responsibility and respect. I have dreams for him, but my biggest dream is that he would fulfil his potential. but how do I discover his potential, and guide him to it? That’s another challenging question.

As for today, I simply lie back in my chair at work, with my aching head and back, and wait to see him tonight when I get home, to feel him jumping on me, excited about the next day we will have together. On the other hand, maybe he’ll be in a bad mood, and scream “Daddy Go Away!”, and I’ll just have to remind myself to give him his space, and love him in the midst of it all!