Seeing The World Through My Son's Eyes
Yesterday, I spent the day with my oldest. I took him with me as 3BAAS Media Group filmed a Time Warner Access program for HBCU Live, a concept we came up with to promote our client Black Educational Events, LLC.
For those familiar with the annual Angel City Classic Black College Football event in Los Angeles, you know this has become the largest yearly gathering of African Americans west of the Mississippi.
It was a good day. Typical of his personality (which he gets from his mother), my son was very well-behaved. In fact, I actually got the sense he actually enjoyed hanging out with his pops for a change to see what is it I do exactly since my days of being a judge. It's one thing to say to your children "Be your own boss" or "I want you to own something that you created", it's another thing to actually lead by example.
My example was my stepfather, who passed 17 months ago even though it feels like just days ago. I wanted to call him to tell him about the project, to ask him his opinion about these high gas prices, Starbucks closing 600 stores, or his take on when he sees the housing market rebounding.
I just wanted to bond, like my boy did with me.
But he wasn't there to pick-up the phone.
This man, thirty-one years prior, that was initially viewed by my brother and I as being a weird cat who was absolutely not good enough to date my mother, let alone marry her.
A beat.
I call my real father, thinking...
"Hey Dad, I was just checking in.... Oh. No, that's okay. You can call me back later."
A beat.
Time to man-up and keep it moving.
Grateful that I have two sons who have a dad.
That's here!