Though I had heard the song before and thought the lyrics and rhythm were beautiful, I did not have an extraordinary affinity for it-- probably because I had never really paid too much attention to it. That changed the day that you were born, however.
The day before you were born was trying and terrifying. I went to the gym early in the morning, only to return to find that your mother's water had broken two months early. The entire day rushed by between getting your mom to Kamloops hospital, returning home to gather a few things for her, returning home to get ready for work the next day, and then driving back the next morning because her labor had started.
For many parents, the experience of their child's birth is a joyous time, but yours was far more frightening than festive. I feared that you might not stay, or that you might not be perfect. Both of those fears proved to be unfounded, but they were very real at the time.
Early on the morning of your birth, I listened to the radio on the way in from Merritt. I happened to hear Foo Fighters "Times Like These", and something about it stuck. I was unable to get the song out of my head for some reason, and somehow connected the song with you and our experience in my mind. Somehow, you seem to have decided that it is your song. According to a Lakota Sioux medicine man, every person has a song that is just for them. If that is true, there is no doubt that this song is your song.
When you came, it changed the lives of the people around you. You are our light. This is your time. You taught us how to love again in a new and different way. You are our brand new sky, and you will realign the stars in that sky-- we know you will and that they will be dazzling. This song was written for you. It is your song. It is the most beautiful song in the world. Thank you for teaching us to live and love all over.
