I visited mother and child in the hospital, and held the Oglet for the very first time.

She was tiny. Sweaty hair and baby smell, she nestled into the crook of my arm.

Then, there, the most irresponsible human on earth felt the enormous responsibility settle in all around him, and instead of feeling like the burden of sysiphus, it felt like a thick, warm blanket.

I have been extremely lucky, in that she’s a moral and decent and hardworking kid who shows no signs of being the kind of trouble i was. She’s also smart and has a huge heart.

Sixteen years ago, I didn’t know any of that. She snuggled against me and urped on my arm, it ran down my bicep and dripped off my elbow onto the floor. She had marked her territory; I was forever hers. God himself cannot change that.

I doubt he would want to, anyway. Thank you, Creator of the Universe, Author of Natural Law, Father of all things animate and inanimate, for showing me it didn’t hurt to be responsible. For giving me a reason to settle in. For sending me this wonderful gift. I can’t ever do anything to deserve it, or earn it, but I’ll keep on trying anyway.