20 Reasons to Love My Son

I wrote this first version of "20 reasons to love my son" in 2009. It was an assignment from 'Father's school'. In this program, for 4 days, I learned how to love and how to communicate to my family - wife, son, and daughter.

Here is the original version of 2009.

01. I love Timmy who wakes up by himself on time.

02. I love Timmy who eats any food with appreciation.

03. I love Timmy who smiles a lot and who is always positive.

04. I love Timmy who keeps himself clean and neat.

05. I love Timmy who always does exercise and has a good body shape.

06. I love Timmy who puts an effort in Taekwondo and teaches younger kids.

07. I love Timmy who didn't quit Violin for 8 years.

08. I love Timmy who sang a beautiful song in Middle school graduation ceremony.

09. I love Timmy who practices guitar everyday to be a good soloist.

10. I love Timmy who writes well, as like me :)

11. I love Timmy who was so sad when he got 690 from math and couldn't get into SET.

12. I love Timmy who felt sorry for his jealousy to his friend who got in a prep school.

13. I love Timmy who can make friends at any time anywhere.

14. I love Timmy who understands any book he reads so easily.

15. I love Timmy who read Harry Potter bought in San Francisco airport before the flight arrived Seoul.

16. I love Timmy who asked me help to overcome temptation for pornography.

17. I love Timmy who is tall and handsome, not like me.

18. I love Timmy who says "I love you" to mom and hugs her frequently.

19. I love Timmy who has many of my weak points.

20. I love Timmy who will overcome the weak points and be a better person than me.

...

I remember people asked me "Why do you attend father's school? You are already a good father!" I said "I am not a good father. I want to be a real good father." But frankly, I thought I was one. I thought I was doing well as a father.

3 years passed. Timmy is now 16, becoming 17 in a week. Going through good times and not-so-good times. And I am realizing that I am really not-a-good father. I was not a good listener. When he needs help, I didn't provide it. I didn't communicate. 

This morning, I encountered this 2009 writing by a chance. Since then, many things are changed. He quit something and picked up new things. My understanding of him is changed also.

So Here comes a 2012 version. Many of them changed and will change as time goes. But the last two-line will be same.

01. I love Timmy who wakes up at 5 in the morning to be an early bird.

02. I love Timmy who eats any food with appreciation.

03. I love Timmy who smiles a lot and is always positive.

04. I love Timmy who keeps himself clean and neat.

05. I love Timmy who always does exercise and has a good body shape.

06. I love Timmy who likes to think and wants to be a philosophy professor.

07. I love Timmy who realizes happiness is not from money or position.

08. I love Timmy who lost 20 lbs in 3 weeks to compete in wrestling as a varsity.

09. I love Timmy who puts his effort to be a great wrestler.

10. I love Timmy who overcame limitations and did a wonderful job during debates season.

11. I love Timmy who overcame internal struggle and decided to be honest with me.

12. I love Timmy who admits mistakes and tries to make up all the time.

13. I love Timmy who can make friends at any time anywhere.

14. I love Timmy who understands any book he reads so easily.

15. I love Timmy who is tall and handsome, not like me.

16. I love Timmy who wants to find his own meaning of his life.

17. I love Timmy who wants me to be proud of him.

18. I love Timmy who says "I love you" to mom and hugs her frequently.

19. I love Timmy who has many of my weak points.

20. I love Timmy who will overcome the weak points and be a better person than me.

...

As I think 20 reasons to love Timmy, in other parts of my mind, I had one question. "Do you need 20 reasons to love him?"

Of course not. I don't need 20 reasons. I love him because he is Timmy, my son :)