[zblevins]

Reading this while holding my new born and man does this hit you right in the gut.

[tartoran]

I feel it too. My kid is 6 and my most important goal right now is survive and be able to provide until he becomes a young adult. My father died right when I was 20 year old and while it was hard I managed. I can't image how hard it would've been growing up without a dad. And without a mom is probably even worse but I let moms worry about that.

[maeil]

Staying alive isn't enough - plenty of kids with dads (or moms) who are alive but still grow up without them.

[giancarlostoro]

As they get older it hits harder, just the thought of any harm.

[zblevins]

Yea, I find myself growing increasingly sensitive. I spent several years in Afghanistan and now the most mildest of violence even in media bothers me. I couldn’t imagine either of my sons having to go through that or anyone else’s children. Life is so incredibly precious and until proven otherwise rare.

[microtonal]

Yeah. This really changed for me after getting a kid. The thought I hope to live long enough to see my kid do X crosses my mind on a regular basis. Makes you enjoy all of it much more, especially because a lot of things that I can see her do now, I wished to see ~10 years ago.

[zblevins]

Sheesh man that’s pretty damn dark.