Love Pushes On Our World From All Sides

To My Son on His 21st Birthday

Welcome to Earth, my guy.

Today, dear Kazu, you turn 21.

Born on the third day of the third month in the third year of the new millennium. Three, Three, Oh Three. That magic number, made sublime by your entrance into the world.

Those of us who believe in the Mystery call these places, where the veil between our world and the Great Reality is negligible, “thin spaces.” But that term is wrong. Because it is not merely the places where heaven touches our plane that are thin. Our world itself is thin, constantly pressed against from without and within by the holy, the divine, by God. That love pushes into our world on all sides from heaven and shapes us like giant’s hands in soft clay.

When they pulled you, Kazu, from your mother’s belly, your cries punched through me. Fierce blasts, like a trumpet’s sound. My soul shivered and wobbled in the onslaught of your pure, true call: “I am here! I am here! I am here!”

You announced your presence and all I could do was open my heart. I was awestruck.

For 21 years now, I have held you. Lifted you. Carried you. Stood beside you. Looked up to you.

Now you are a man, grown. Your gentle, intelligent eyes still contain the fire that singed my soul when we met, 21 years ago. It is softened, as it must be, dimmed by the world in which we live. The shroud that hides our reality from heaven closes around us all. But nothing has been lost, sweet boy! I am still in awe of you, of the love that you brought into my heart. Breathe on that fire in your soul like you would an ember. Keep it alive. I knew you when that fire was all that you were. Let it guide you. It is good.

You are kind. You are strong. You are sweet. You are smart. You have gifts and you honor them through your hard work. You are loved, and you love in return.

What a blessing you are, Kazu. May you feel the joy you bring me every day in your own heart, now, and for years to come.

With Love,

Dad