All you need for Christmas is love
BROOKLYNPAPER.COM
COURIER L 28 IFE, JANUARY 3-9, 2020
OPINION
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LAST WEEK’S TOP STORY:
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I could write another column
on a political topic such as
providing more evidence of
the disastrous effects of the
new bail reform law.
For example, just this past
week, a suspect arrested for assaulting
three Orthodox Jewish
women in Crown Heights,
who already had a long rap
sheet, was released without
bail in a matter of hours because
of the law. Then, this
same person was arrested
again the very next day for
assaulting another woman.
Every New Yorker that is the
victim of a crime by someone
who was released because of
this insane law can thank
the Democrats that represent
them in Albany.
However, since it is the
holidays I wanted to write
about something more uplifting.
Last week, I celebrated
my fi rst Christmas with my
son, as well as the 25th anniversary
of my 21st birthday.
This has caused me to think
even more about family, life,
and our purpose while we are
on this earth. Obviously, these
are issues that have long been
pondered by many.
This past summer my wife
and I adopted a beautiful newborn
baby boy, and last month
it was legally fi nalized. Within
moments of holding him and
every day since, there is a new
and real meaning to all of the
cliché phrases I have heard
from parents throughout my
life about how a child changes
everything.
Indeed, all other things are
now less important. Your focus
becomes on that child and
how to give him the best life
possible. Like all families, we
have recently endured losing
loved ones, and family members
choosing paths in life
that causes us to pray for their
well being each day. Our new
baby allows us to focus more
on the positives and uplifts
our spirits.
Timothy Cardinal Dolan’s
words during Christmas mass
at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
described my feelings since
summer more succinctly. He
said, “That’s the message of
Christmas, that innocence,
that vulnerability. There is
nothing, nothing that changes
or transforms the human
heart more than a baby.” As
a new parent, these were not
just cliché words anymore because
I am now experiencing
this fi rst-hand.
Cardinal Dolan also told
the packed Mass about an
event he attended where all
the attention was on a new infant,
“Not on Great-Grandma,
not on the Christmas tree, not
on the lavish buffet…but everybody’s
attention was centered
around the baby. When
we see that baby, we know that
it’s a good sign that life is going
to continue” and “Jesus
could have just shown up as
an adult,” but “God wanted us
to know that this baby…really
is of human nature. He is one
of us.”
Our fi rst Christmas with
baby Bobby was no different.
All were fawning over him, although
I sometimes wonder if
he gets tired or angry with his
role as the hot potato that gets
passed around.
Here are some other
thoughts that I have had since
becoming a dad and growing
another year older during this
holiday season:
• I know now that the most
important title and job I
will ever have is “Dad.”
• I have gained an even
greater appreciation and respect
for my own parents.
• Since ultimately our children
will make their own
choices in life and take
their own paths, we must
enjoy every moment with
them today.
• The joy that babies give us is
the greatest gift. As adults,
we are able to cherish and
remember these times.
• There is no stronger evidence
of God then watching
a baby develop, grow, and
bond with family.
I hope your holiday season
was as magical as ours,
and wish all of our readers a
Happy New Year!
Bob Capano has worked
for Brooklyn Republican and
Democrat elected offi cials, and
has been an adjunct Professor
of Political Science for over 15
years. Follow him on twitter @
bobcapano
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Bob Capano
Bob Capano, his wife Michele, and baby Bobby. Courtesy of Bob Capano
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