Post Birthday Reflection: The Clean Slate

There I am, in my father's arms, not long after my birth in 1951.  My parents look so happy, so proud.  My life a blank slate.  It was good time I imagine.  Obviously I don't remember much.  I do know that when I found this picture the first time...and several times after that, it surprised me that I was being held by my dad.  I don't recall a lot of affection from him.  Yet I somehow knew he did care.  There was never any doubt on my mother's love for me.

Anyway, on this the day after my birthday, I thought about this pic.  It was my beginning.  My mother smiling.  My dad holding me.  I do remember the aloha shirt.  Wish I still had it.  It was a different time to be sure.  And sometimes I wonder if I had it to do over, would I?  My only regret is that I didn't see this picture every day.  It reminds me of what it is to loved and what it was probably like to begin to write on that clean slate.