30 Comments
User's avatar
Andrea 🌄's avatar

Beautifully heartwarming!

Rick Lewis's avatar

Thank you very much Andrea.

Dana Allen's avatar

I am here. Yes Nate, you are and you are beautiful and kind and generous and sound so cool.

Thanks Rick for introducing us to him. You love him very much.

Rick Lewis's avatar

Thank you for this kind and loving mirror Dana.

Bob Gilbreath's avatar

Another wonderful story…I would give quite a lot to be able to toss my little girls into the air once again.

Rick Lewis's avatar

Ah, yes . . .

Henny Hiemenz's avatar

Happy Birthday Nate!

Rick Lewis's avatar

Very kind of you Henny. Thank you.

Christopher Harding's avatar

What a wonderful story, Rick! "I am here!" Such a lovely, truthful declaration -- one that every soul, on some level, must be trying to communicate. Beautiful that you recognized his call and honored it.

Rick Lewis's avatar

Thanks Chris

Larry Urish's avatar

Nate has so many wonderful qualities, which you outline here with wonderful storytelling and wonderful love. Clearly, "he is here" for everyone in his orbit.

Well, Rick, YOU are here for everyone in yours. That he turned out the way he did is no accident. I cannot image how difficult it must be to be a good parent. You did a helluva job, my friend.

Rick Lewis's avatar

Thanks for the so kind note Larry. Parenting is for sure difficult, and comes with more parental screw-ups than any parent would want, but humans seem to be incredibly adaptive and resilient, especially when there is honest ownership of the mistakes and foibles. Then you get to watch your kids go beyond what you were capable of.

Rachel Parker's avatar

Such a beautiful tribute, Rick. You can feel the fatherly love and pride in every word. Happy Birthday to Nate!

Rick Lewis's avatar

Thanks Rachel.

Skip Lackey's avatar

What a beautiful love letter to your son. It is amazing how we can look at our children and be overwhelmed with love and gratitude for who they have become. At times, waves of emotion wash over me when I'm with my kids, as I know they do for you, too. Glad to be a little spark of inspiration in the calling in of Nate's vital new spirit. ;-) Big hugs to you both, my dear friend.

Rick Lewis's avatar

We are forever in debt to your presence and friendship and spark Skip.

CansaFis Foote's avatar

…happy birthday Nate…

Rick Lewis's avatar

Thank you sir.

James Bailey's avatar

What a tribute Rick. This is a perfect reflection that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree:

“I watched as Nate listened in depth, soft and clear, and responded with the kind of balanced wise counsel that would steady the crew of the most storm-tossed ship.“

Happy birthday Nate!

Rick Lewis's avatar

Thank you James.

Matt Tillotson's avatar

Mystical, yet grounded in the deep love and admiration only a parent can feel. Loved this!

Rick Lewis's avatar

I appreciate the comment Matt. I know you've been there as a parent.

Brigitte Kratz's avatar

Beautiful. Happy Birthday to your son Nate!

Rick Lewis's avatar

Thanks Brigitte, and also for your own dedicated parenting.

Ishan Shanavas's avatar

What a heartwarming piece :)

Rick Lewis's avatar

Thank you Ishan. I know you have two deeply proud parents in the wings.

Kathy Ayers's avatar

What a fine son you’ve raised. This was lovely.

Rick Lewis's avatar

Thank you Kathy.

Alex Michael's avatar

Beautiful tribute. Happy birthday, Nate!

Rick Lewis's avatar

I appreciate it Alex.