When I was a toddler, I wanted to be just like my Dad. I loved him this much! I had no idea what he did, but I wanted to be him.

When I was ten, I wanted to be an architect. I loved to draw. I would create perspective and plan views of buildings that were real and invent floor plans of many that didn’t.

When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a teacher. I loved to learn new things. I would read books and encyclopedic tomes, utterly losing myself in both prose and facts.

When I was in university, I wanted to be a computer programmer. I loved elegant code. The beauty of creating a solution in a cryptic language was strangely fulfilling.

When I was married, I wanted to be a good husband. I loved her dearly. I wanted to be honest and true, building a friendship that would last forever.

When I was a father, I wanted to be a better man. I loved my boys. I wanted to set a good example, lead by it, with firm rules for life, but have fun with them, too.

Today, I still wonder: what do I want to be when I grow up?