Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The Stork Arrives

It is 11:03AM on Thursday, October 20th 1977 and the doctor (actually, it was a nurse) tells me that I have a son!! A little boy weighing it at 11 pounds 4 ounces a bouncing baby boy, a healthy little “Butterball”. Imagine I was a father and now the task of becoming a “Daddy” began.

Oh, it is not easy for any parent. Raising a child, being responsible for their safety, well-being, happiness, future, their every need is not an easy thing. Some people unfortunately think “flim-flam-bam and thank you mam they are parents and the rest is easy….it is not!

I only realized the struggle, worry and concern my parents went through, only when I became a father myself.

I always say, just because you are a parent that does not make you perfect! That when you become a parent, there are no, instructions that come along with that tiny little miracle of life, that is now yours.

It is like being thrown into the 100 foot water (never knowing if you can swim or not) and being told, “Swim”!

Yet I for one thing I am the luckiest man in the world! Seriously! Many of these blogs have been about my struggles or those of others but let us face it life has its REWARDS!

In addition, to being a father and I believe I also can call myself a “Daddy” for Thirty-Two years there are many “REWARD”!

I have been blessed with a child (and now a Man) who has been respectful to his family, loved his family, never ever embarrassed himself or his family. He works hard for his wife and children, he is true to them (and better be) and loves them and adores them very much.

Is he perfect? In my eyes as a dad, ….Yes! Could he do or have done some things differently? Ha! Who could not do some things differently in thirty-two years if given the chance? It is certainly easy for me or anyone from the cheap seats to sit and be a judge….but I will not!

I too could have done things differently and so could have you, I am sure!

The thing is I have gotten to see him grow up! With all that comes from that.

All the cheers, jeers, and tears! The awards (and there were many), the parties, graduations (I might not have attended them all but I have been around for them all), and “the first”! First tooth, then the first tooth to fall out, first job, first girlfriend, first (and only) wife, first child, (now second child) many first.

Yes, life has its REWARDS and one of mine (a biggy) was certainly the day the Stork arrived in our family.

I feel good today! I feel great today! I am proud to be a father and more proud to be the Dad of Michael Hebranko III born 1977.

I am a lucky person to be here to see all this and to be able to share it with my loved ones and my friends.

I share this part of my life with you and I ask you to take a moment to reflect on even just one “REWARD” life has had for you……..We all have them……….

In this world today of havoc, finances a mock, news is crazy, wars, innocent people dying, people doing crazy things just to be on TV ….sometimes it is important amidst all this havoc to search and reflect on the good things …..

On the REWARDS…it helps us to appreciate our lives ourselves..

It may bring a smile to us…

I know, to this very day not matter how I feel, no matter what kind of mood I am in, when I see my Son (even if it is for a second, until we argue about something) my heart brightens up, my blood flows better, my insides smile!

There are certain things that I am proudest of in my life one being my marriage and the love and relationship it has produced between myself and my bride and from that comes the other most proudest things in my life….my son...and now his family, his children, my grandchildren…

I have other things that I am proud of most… some are self accomplishment and survival and most are relationships with family and friends.

Life’s REWARDS they are there for the enjoyment, the reflection, the inner peace and comfort. Use them, allow yourself to appreciate them and acknowledge your part in your life’s REWARDS!

Enjoy today and all the days….

Love
Mike

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well Mike happy birthday to your son and You are so right. We need to focus on those positive things in our lives or as you say our rewards. I have no children but I take in stray animals and I find them homes and that is a reward for me and for that I need to be thankful.
Mike I love your mind and your feelings and thanks for helping me
June Anderson

Anonymous said...

Hi Michael
Very interesting blog. Your love for family and son are shown but even more so your message is clear and I thank you fot that.
Sylvia H

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael
The stork arrives is one that has touched me greatly. I have so many blessing that I too do not think of enough. You have allowed me to stop and think about them and not feel guilty about feeling good about them.
James Benson

Stacey said...

I can personally say you are one of the best father on earth and you know why I can say that? Its because I have had the pleasure of spending time with your son and he is a spectacular and I mean spectacular human being, You are both blessed love Stacey H

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike
I enjoyed this post as I have enjoyed many but this one in particular. You have a way with your feelings and thanks for sharing them. Bless you, God
Harriet Meyers

Anonymous said...

First i can say you have an amazing son .. with so much character and i have been blessed to know him personally... i was able to watch him grow from the age of 10 till i left NY which was many years later... he has beautiful children and a beautiful wife.... and you are an amazing father....you love for him always showed through your eyes and you have been rewarded....
I think if we all look hard enough we will see the rewards we have in life...we need to sit back and realize what we have and be thankful for each and everyone of them ...
loves and hugggs
Carol

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
I wish I saw your son growing up. I am reading some of the people who did see that happen and I guess you really loved your son as one should. Love is a beautiful thing and I wish I had such a relationship with my father but I did not. I wish he was around now I would try to patch things up and tell him I love him. I sure miss him.
I want to tell you I do have good things in my life and that is my friends at least some of them.
I am looking at them much differently since I read your blog. You are a wonderful man!
Rhonda

Linda Mc said...

Michael
You say in this piece that survival is one of the things you are proudest of well personally I think your survival iiis the number One thng, Your survival has insoired so many of us at least me to not give up. I get my will some times from you and for thsi I give thanks.
God bless you Michael
Linda McCarthey

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike
I am an old Project-Me follower of yours and I have to tell you I am still fighting the battle. I am still fighting because of you and your inspiration. I know you have had your ups and downs and you never give up and I was inspired by you at 200 pounds at 1000 pounds and now.
Thanks for the blog page love it
Barbara

Anonymous said...

Wow Project Me havent heard that in a long time .. wonders if i know barbara

Carol

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
I want to let you know that I acknowledge my part in my rewards in my life and I thank you for being able to do this. You ahve helped so much with your blog and inspiration.
George J.

Anonymous said...

My Rewards are few but you give me hope. I also enjoyed reading about your love you have for your son and your family. You are a big man to be able to do that and I do not mean big in size.
Bless you
Ba W.

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael
I am desperate need of some motivation. I would love to speak with you and possibly meet you. Can you arrabge that for me. Let me know I sent you and email on yahoo, I need you.
Laura T

Anonymous said...

The Stork Arrives is one of your best ones. It is special when you share your family stories and how you encourage those of us trying so hard.
Thank you very much
Bernice

joan said...

Hello Michael-
I'm so glad to have seen you on Oprah some time ago and to have discovered your blog. I have felt low more often than I care to admit and your words are not only wise but an encouragement- truly a reward in itself....God Bless

Ben said...

Mike
I am not sure I really know my rewards. it is not easy to see them. I am 500 plus pounds and in bed most of the day. My life at 45 is basically over. What od I have to look forward to. I can't diet, I've tried. I am desperate
Ben Gessler

Anonymous said...

Michael
Have you written a book yet? You said that you were and we are so ready for the whole story and to hear it all from you. I have followed your life for many years and some of what we know is from your mouth and much is from the press. You are very positive and know so much. Please let us know.
Thank You
Roberta G.

Anonymous said...

The other day I was thinking of you and I turned on my TV and there you were. I know it was an old show but just seeing you and hearing you is an inspiration. You are so real. You share your pain, your fear, your joy, and most of all your hope. I Love it.I have been taking better care of myself and often I hear your words to keep me going.
My name is Kyra and I hope to meet you some day.
Kyra

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your post! It's so important to cut through daily minutiae and remember what life's really about, thanks for reminding me to do that.

MaryLeigh

Jena said...

Mike
I agree with MaryLeigh, that sometimes we need to be reminded, To just look around us and we will see our own blessings. Thank you.
Jena

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael
I have since started to focus on positive things in my life and you have been a big help. I thank you from the botttom of my heart. Happy Holidays to you and your family
Grace Martin

Charles said...

Mike
I take this expression right from your blog post "Life’s REWARDS they are there for the enjoyment, the reflection, the inner peace and comfort. Use them, allow yourself to appreciate them and acknowledge your part in your life’s REWARDS"!
Well this is so true and has been so helpful to me. Thank you for all you give and I love this blog
Charles B.

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
The Stork Arrives was one of the blog articles that I really enjoyed. You spoke about things that I need to appreciate in my life. You have helped me open my eyes in quite a few different situations and for this I want to thank you. I want to ask you a question, do you think you could write more often. I really look forward to your posting.
Lindy