I have a confession. A secret that I have kept from almost everyone. I am a single father.

Sometimes, I am up at 2:00 AM giving all of myself to care for this little thing that came into the world through me.

Other days I am up at 4:00 AM so that I am able to do what I need to do to meet the collective goals of me and the little one. I have flown as far east as Washington DC and as far west as San Diego to meet with and be among the top experts and doctors in the world to provide the best care for my little one. I have done literally anything and everything and will continue to do so to care for this extension of me that feels so tiny and fragile in my arms.

I have had a lot of help and support in raising my baby. In fact, I could not have done this without the love, support, mentorship, and guidance of all those people who have supported me through this important part of my life. That being said, there are other times. Other times it feels as though I am all alone. No, I take that back, not all alone, but like it’s just us two against the world. At times I want to cry at the pressure and demands, but I don’t. I stay strong and carry on, hiding my pain and struggles from the little one. I would hate for my baby to see the old man feeling weak.

It’s hard being a single father. As hard as it gets at times, there is nothing in the world that I would give it up for. I am proud to be a father. As I write this, I look down at my baby lying beside me, and I am filled with joy and pride. My baby, my vita, a beautiful, two and a half year old, 24 lb weight paper, and, thanks to that last publication, 4 pages tall, is the sparkle in my eye and the love of my life.