My son's birthday was yesterday.

[Denninmi]

4. This thread makes me sad.

Not in any way to take away from the OP - I think it's awesome you have a great relationship with your son, and you obviously are a great father.

I wish I had been in a position to be a father, years ago. Life circumstances, family history, genetics, upbringing all worked against me. I regret that. I would have been a great dad, the opposite of my own, who was an abusive brute. It does make me sad to think about it. And yes, it is "too late" for me, I have issues which dictate it just wouldn't be the right thing to do.

My consolation, I have been a great dad to three dogs, giving then about the best life any dog could ask for.

Maybe in the next life.