家里的第三个成员终于按照预定的计划一天不早一天不晚地降临了。 2007 年十月某日凌晨女儿在太太预产期的那天顺利地出生在美国芝加哥的西北大学医院。一家人自是欢喜的不得了，虽然女儿即没有口含蓝田美玉，也没有身带麒麟金锁，但全家人都一准儿肯定她会长的和妈妈一样漂亮，和爸爸一样聪明。

第一次笨拙地把女儿抱在怀里的时候，我全身都有些发抖，感到一种少有的神圣和庄严。上帝把这个小生命送给我们相依为命必定是有原因的。出院的时候，我抬头看了看天，我终于将成一个拖家带口、婆婆妈妈的中年男人了。。。

岳父岳母早就等不及在一个月前就来到美国等着孩子的降生，我父母也在孩子出生后几天赶到。女儿在两边家庭都是下一代的第一个，所以一大家人都很激动，几个老人抢着抱孩子，我和太太只能在一旁看着。

王朔说过，一个男人对一个女人毫无私心的爱只存在于父亲和女儿之间。女儿的出生对我更多的是心理上的：从此结束了不负责任的生活，余下的生命将用来毫无怨言地抚养这个孩子。 不知道我会不会是个好父亲，但我会努力工作以给她富足宽松的生活，不离不弃，一家人永远幸福地生活在一起。

一家人还在为孩子中文名字的事争吵不休。正式的英文名字是早就定了的，叫 Norah, 因为我和太太都喜欢 Norah Jones 的恬淡和疏懒。其实这也寄寓了我们对女儿的期望，不指望女儿出人头地、大红大紫，倒是希望她能安静而幸福地生活，比如在学校里教书或在图书馆工作，远离商业，远离政治，远离急功近利和勾心斗角。

本想贴张女儿的丑小鸭照片，但想想也不知道她同意不同意，还是作罢。要不我用电子邮件发给你们吧，说不定我把太太的照片也搭上，呵呵

以前看见别人写给初生女儿的信，很感人，但我想了半天也写不出。抄两首歌吧，因为说的永远没有唱的好听：

希望

养几个孩子是我人生的愿望
我喜欢他们围绕在我身旁
如果这纷乱的世界让我沮丧
我就去看看他们眼中的光芒
总有一天我会越来越忙
还好孩子总是给我 希望
看着他们一天一天成长
我真的忍不住要把梦想对他讲
总在他们的身上
看到自己过去的模样
对自己、对人生、对未来的渴望
他们是我的希望
让我有继续的力量
他们是未来的希望
所有的孩子都一样
他们是未来的希望
但愿我能给他一个最像天堂的地方
 
依稀记得他们出生时的模样
我和太太眼里泛着泪光
虽然他长得和我不是很像
但是朋友都说他比我漂亮
毫无意外我真的越来越忙
还好孩子总是给我希望
如果能够陪着他们一起成长
生命里就算失去一些别的又怎么样
虽然我难免还是会想
这样的歌很少人会欣赏
这一首歌无关儿女情长
只献给我家那两个可爱的姑娘
他们在我心里最柔软的地方
虽然我总是身在远方
我生命里美好的一切愿留与他们分享

Butterfly Kiss

There's two things I know for sure:
She was sent here from heaven and she's
daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and
I thank god for all the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
sticking little white flowers all up in her
hair; "Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."
In all that I've done wrong I know I must
have done something right to deserve a hug
every morning and butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet 16 today
She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world.

But I remember
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer; sticking
little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you, Daddy, But if you
don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time."
With all that I've done wrong I must have done
something right to deserve her love every morning
and butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by.
Precious butterfly.
Spread your wings and fly.

She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
She asked me what I'm thinking and I said "I'm not
sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
She leaned over...gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk my down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry!"

Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have
done something right.
To deserve your love every morning and butterfly
kisses-I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.

I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses.