William is 3! A great day!

Today we have a big party for William at Virginia's in Mahwah. He turns 3 years old. It's hard to believe. It's not long ago that I was handed by the nurse this little newborn bundle. I try to savor and appreciate the moments. They fly by swiftly. As Blake says, "kiss the joys as they pass." I have tried to kiss William as much as possible. But he's getting older, and while he'll hug and kiss you, he moves on to his interests--Lego, cars, trains, Spongebob Squarepants, playing with his lovely brother Andrew.

William has grown up quite a lot, and he looks like such a boy. He can be kind and focused, articulate and caring. Even when he's "difficult", I know it's just my difficulty, he's really doing OK for him, he's doing what he needs to do, at that time. I'm so grateful that he has entered my life. I am a very lucky man indeed. And as family and friends gather today to celebrate William's birthday, I am grateful for them too! William has drawn many people towards us, me, and I am grateful for that too. He's changed the world in dramatic and subtle ways, that I greatly appreciate. He has helped me to grow up and become more flexible and wise. I can't really express what an amazing adventure it has been. Welcome to the great adventure, as Lou Reed says.

I left teaching about 5 years ago, became a Buddhist and went to social work school to become a psychotherapist. I've gone through 2 internships and on Friday I left my first job, where I worked for 2 and a half years. It reminds me of breaking up with my first real girlfriend. She was great, but I was off to college, and wanted to enjoy the world. I'll miss my co-workers and patients greatly. The past 2 weeks I've gotten more praise than I've ever gotten in my life. It's been a funeral and a parade. I'll miss Jen, Natalie, Caroline, Nati, Nitza, Florine and Linda. But I've moved my cheese, and on Monday I embark on new job, another great challenge.

All this change makes me grateful. My parents and step parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents are the foundation. Teachers in school, sports coaches, others. It can be quite humbling to think about all the people who have influenced my life. And to think about that happening to William and Andrew makes me happy.

I was recently saddened by the death of Kurt Vonnegut. Someone was throwing out a box of books when I was a teenager. So I reached in and grabbed out one. I somehow picked Slaughterhouse Five, and while I've read books as a child, this was my first adult book that I choose voluntarily to read and really enjoyed. I was hooked, I've read all 14 of his novels. He ushered me into the lovely activity of reading. I don't read novels so much any more, and I don't read as much as I used to before the boys come along, but books too, I am grateful for, I'm grateful for Kurt Vonnegut.

My wife has been wonderful, steady throughout all this change, and keeps a pretty even keel despite her difficulties. Her family, which at first I thought was too enmeshed, is a real joy now. They are beyond generous. A precious gift.

It saddens me that none of my Buddhist friends are planning to come to the party today, but spiritual community, the sangha, and my mitra study group, are an invaluable resource to me. Sita, Alyssa, and the new New Yorker, Savanna are precious to me. Vajramati is my kalyana mitra, my spiritual friend writ large. I have others as well, and I really find that for me, Buddhism is a powerful positive catalyse for change. Meditation changes my life every day. I am lucky enough to study the dharma, taught by a buddha.

So today, on this day of celebration for William, is also a big transition for me. I too am growing up a little bit, and am hugely grateful to be having such a party to celebrate my son's first 3 years. I wish to give my all in making this a great day!