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Nick Kirsch

More Love

This is a previously unpublished blog entry that I wrote before Momoko's birth. It touches me to publish it, unaltered, now that she is almost eight months old.

The clock ticks towards the arrival of our second. We don't know if a little boy or a little girl is kicking their legs inside of Eriko's ever expanding belly. We don't know what this child will look like, sound like, or act like.

I don't remember what I was thinking with Jerry - fear, apprehension, excitement? That is almost four years ago - which is amazing to comprehend. I don't remember each detail of Jerry growing up, but I do know that I feel intense fondness whenever I think of him.

Now I worry - when there is a second - do I have to share my love? Does Jerry get less of me? Surely less of my time, less of my attention, less of my patience. These things just must be - I am finite; Eriko is finite. Is my love finite - does Jerry get less of me?

There is no doubt that Jerry has brought tremendous joy to Eriko and I - but he also changed our lives. We don't have the same time for each other, the same attention in each other, the same patience for each other. Yet, Jerry's love more than replaces what we give to him. I have to share Eriko with him and yet, our love for each other isn't diminished - changed, for sure - but no less.

Amidst my apprhension, there is sadness - I will miss these days. Jerry is my only son, my only child. In some ways, it is the sadness that occurs in the passing of time - the fear that things just couldn't possibly get better. I hope, and deep down I know, that despite what we will all invest, this child will bring out even more from us all.

What's an angel, Daddy?

Me: Mama, we have two angels in our house. 

Jerry: What’s an angel, Daddy? 
Me: An angel is a special person … 
Jerry: Then I’m an angel to you and you’re an angel to me. Because I love you and you love me. 
Me: That’s right, Jerry. 
Jerry: We have four angels, Daddy. Mama loves you and Mama loves Momo too. 

Love - pass it on!

Early Morning

When my mind wanders to the subject of this blog, it quickly tries to fill the hole in my submission record with a dramatic tale - me, live-blogging daily as the world around me collapses. Why such dark images are conjured up when I consider writing my thoughts down is still a mystery - left for another entry.


I love early mornings - the quiet, the sunrise, the independence. I walk to work and the air is cool and crisp: enough to make your hands numb but not enough to seep into your core. Today I’m at work at 6:07 and (once I finish this) ready to jump-start what I hope will be a productive day.

Early mornings have a downside though, a double-edged sword. It is leaving the house before the three people I care most about wake up. Jerry, in particular, is especially distraught when I leave early. Two out of three mornings it will drive him to tears to find me missing. If I don’t leave the house before he wakes up, then I’m committed to spending at least thirty minutes with him and more  likely an hour. It is just as difficult for me to separate myself from him.

He’s so good at waking up soon after me that I have to wake up at five AM if I’m to get an early start. Last night before bed he stated plainly, “Daddy, I wake up when you do."


Humility Creed

For those of us of who do not know, who question, or dare to contemplate the world - may our lives be filled with wonder. Force us to ask - How did I deserve this?


For those of us who know, who understand every facet, and who cannot conceive a different world - may our lives be filled with doubt. Force us to ask - How did I deserve this?

For it is only in the insatiable pursuit of truth, in the unbridled search for meaning among chaos, and the constant revaluation of ourselves that our lives are truly enriched.

Complacency is death - let us all remain humble.

Happy Easter, Happy Sunday, Happiness to all.

Gentle Moment

Eriko wonderfully captured one of my first gentle moments with Momoko and Jerry.


To fall asleep together, free of worry, is such a luxury - for old and young alike.

Seeds...

I held Momoko for a few minutes after Eriko went to bed tonight and marveled at where life is. I can’t remember exactly what it felt like to hold Jerry, only that he’s always way out in front of me and I suspect that isn’t ever going to change. Realizing this, perhaps I can remember more of these early details - but I suspect that is wishful thinking.


As I look around our small home, I see seeds - an avocado tree which will eventually outgrow its 19" pot, a piano which is far too large for a home this size, a motorcycle balloon hanging from the ceiling, and a table that clearly needs a larger kitchen. Those might all say “you need a bigger house”, but only the first one did in my mind - the other images I see are Eriko’s music career, Jerry becoming a man, and our family growing.

At work, I’ve recently been promoted “back” to a Director - but in a completely different role, in Product Management (vs Engineering). I can’t help but feel wiser and more prepared now versus two years ago - but like this tiny home, my small team is littered with the seeds of the future. The company is littered with the seeds of the future - ideas, markets, and people.

In four years from now, where will be? Which seeds will grow - and in what direction?

PS Just finishing watching the first two seasons of Entourage - great series.