First off, I’d like to sat that those two coffees at William’s yesterday was not such a good idea. I don’t remember the last time I had a cuppa Joe, let alone two in the same hour, but there I was at midnight, wide awake. I’d had the two small cups of Devil’s Fuel at lunch time, and the effects had still not worn off 12 hours later. Believe me, there was a time when I enjoyed a good buzz of any kind, but those times are far behind me now. It’ll be back to water today.
Congratulations to my nephew Kyle and his wife AmyJo on the arrival of their first born son Connor Marcus Campbell on the weekend. I’m so happy for you guys. When I got the call, I have to admit, I became over-run with emotion, thinking of my years gone past and the years you have ahead of you. Your life has now just begun, and you are in for some wonderful times ahead of you.
Some of my best memories are of Kyle as a youngster, playing catch in the yard for hours upon end, the sleepover you and the boys had in our back yard, the day you rode in to the yard on your dad’s motorcycle, your beautiful wedding to AmyJo, and so much more. When I look at my own son, I see you in him. When I look at you, I see me. So when I got the call from you that you were now a dad, I felt like my own first born son had just become a father. I don’t know if I’ve ever said it, but you do mean that much to me.
Your life as you know it has just changed forever. You may have thought you had a life before, but now you have a reason to live. And, believe me, the best years of your life are ahead of you. Being a father is an honour, a challenge, and the most rewarding experience there is, and I know you will be a great dad, just as AmyJo will be a great mother. Have fun, take lots of pictures, and if I could give one piece of advice, it would be this…Don’t blink. Before you know it, it will be 19 years from now, and you’ll wonder where in the hell the time went. When you think you’re at your wits end, just remember, you will want this back, and you’re gonna miss it. Boy, are you gonna miss it. As I was an influence in your life, and you were in my own son’s, you were also in my own, and I love the idea of being a part of this new life as you move forward. If you’re half as good at being a dad as you have been a nephew, you will do just fine 
