"They say that as your time in this world ends your whole life flashes before your eyes, and since movies have done nothing to dispel the notion, I’m a believer. What "they" don’t tell you is that a similar thing happens when a life begins, though my flashes focused on the more 'colorful' things I’d done.

"Moments after our daughter Ryan was born digital cameras captured the joy, pride, panic, and excitement that was splashed across my face as I held her for the first time. What they couldn’t capture was the abject fear that The Past Police would come crashing through the door, waving permanent records that catalogued forty years of misdeeds and bad ideas – from dumping paint out a grade school window to the ill-advised decisions that come from hanging at a college radio station all day and punk clubs all night. Given my colorful past I wondered if I had what it took to help raise her properly, keep her safe and steer her away from harm.

"These days I have a subtle reminder that there is some truth to that old adage "do as I say, not as I do (or did)", even at a young age.

"With her second birthday on the horizon and our grill needing a cleaning before her party, I took advantage of the pleasant spring weather to fire up the stainless steel behemoth, polish its doors and clean its grates. As Ryan wandered around the patio scoping out bugs and kicking her ball, I firmly but gently reminded her that the grill was not a toy and she should give it a wide berth -- a tough sell to a kid who loves hanging in the kitchen with parents who enjoy cooking.

"As the grill’s temperature gauge pushed past the 500-degree mark, and I made sure my daughter was out of harm’s way, I opened the doors to inspect the grill’s storage area, reached inside and promptly gave myself a half-dollar-sized burn on my wrist. A torrent of expletives rushed from my brain to my mouth as I clenched my teeth, hopped to my feet and emitted nothing more than a low 'Youch!'.

"The exclamation attracted the attention of Ryan, who rushed over to ask one of her favorite questions – "Whahappen?" That presented the opportunity to explain that Daddy had done something careless and she should remember that the grill was hot and dangerous, even to a 42-year-old who should know better. As she gave me a hug and asked to see my "boo-boo," I felt some of the fear I felt that night two years ago slipping away. Even if it hurt like hell."