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Nick

18 years ago today Nicholas Kai Gilroy entered the world. I remember that day like it just happened. He was born at home, with the mid-wife missing in action, and me having just arrived from working on a carpentry project that Saturday. After timing his mother’s contractions I figured I still had the opportunity to shower and shave and welcome our baby without the days dust on me. Barely out of the shower and half shaved, he started to emerge! I had no time to think about what was happening - he was ready to be born. Thank god I watched all those birthing videos in our Bradley class of Peruvian women popping out children and then going back to work. Easy right? I’ll never forget that moment as he slid into my hands and then gently onto our bed and the wonder in my voice as I said “it’s a boy”.

And what a boy he was and now I can say what a man he is! Nick is a total joy and always has been. An amazing companion; a kind and thoughtful son. Funny, beautiful, smart, driven, helpful, loyal, athletic, spiritual and real. The total opposite of me at 18 years old thank goodness. It’s like he filtered out all the bad choices and distilled all the smart choices into living an amazing dream called his life.

His mother & I split up when he was 5 and for a time my world was very dark without him in it on a daily basis. At age 8 he came to live with me permantly. For the next 6 years he was my constant companion and my fellow adventurer. He watched me go through a number of relationships. He saw me fall. He watched me get up again. He accompanied me on a spiritual quest to California and was more adaptable that I could have ever imagined. We had the best time together out there and both grew from the experience. Nick learned through my travails how to transform the things in a life that are no longer working and to do so without tremendous drama. I believe his witnessing his father go from devastation to real happiness inspired him. It modeled for him a way to be and he has taken that baton and gone even further with it at such a young age.

I understand all parents are supposed to be proud of their children. That’s natural. But if you met Nick you would immediately see how special he is. I certainly don’t take credit for that – he deserves that. Yet I do know he is loved wherever he goes. From his Russian family - his mom and step father, half sisters, grand parents, extended family all now in Italy, to my side of the family – my mom and brothers, Bodhi, and Megs family too. It seems everywhere he lands is home. He is truly blessed.

So Nick, happy birthday. It is an important one. May you continue to evolve and expand as a human being. May you continue to make good choices. And when you don’t may you modify without too much drama. May your dreams become real. May you always love yourself and attract love to you.

I am beyond proud to be your father. My love for you is limitless.

Dad

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