Sad goodbye to 05

I am saddned that 2005 is coming to an end, personally and professionally it has been a banner year for me, first and foremost in becoming a Dad, a parent to my daughter Celeste.

Johnson and Johnson are currently running a commercial (advert) here in the US with the tag-line that "A baby changes everything" a little sentence that I have experienced first hand means so much than a couple of words can attempt to illustrate.

Having had the opportunity not to work since December 22nd, I have spent quality family time with Celeste and my wife Taney through the build-up to Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and a family trip to the zoo in the run up to New Years Eve, just the three of us a handful of other families and a host of animals that Celeste if not could name, could recognise from her books.

I have watched Celeste use her imagination having he first pretend tea-party with her new friends, La-La (TellyTubbie) Bear (Panda-Bear) Elmo (Seasame Street) and Mulan. I have walked in to the nursery with a welcome shreek of "Daddy" and arms held upwards. Each day she does something to surprise me and to see her grow a little more each day since May has been a wonder unto itself.

As she opened her first stocking gift, a coloring book she called for crayons having little idea that there were a mountain of gifts to be opened that morning with her name on. The first couple of gifts were nibly opened with small finger tearing carefully at the paper. By the time we reached the gifts under the tree Celeste was overwhelmed at the generousity of her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Through the year, I have watched my daughter day-in day-out with wonder. 2005 marks the end of our adoption journey, us waiting for Celeste, and Celeste waiting for us.

As 2005 is reviewed it will mark other stories, those reported on the BBC, CNN and Fox. Celeste's story will not be among them, but is to me the most important and best of all.

A baby does change everything - for the best in ways you truly cannot fathom until you reach that stage in life.

2006 will arrive I resolve to be the best Husband and Daddy I can possibly be.