How fatherhood put new perspective on my life

Nothing changes you like fatherhood.

You grow up a lot faster. You just mature -- the things you do off the court, every time you step outside. Every time you step on the court you feel like you’ve got something new to play for. After playing for yourself, your family, you’ve got another person in the world that you have to look after.
 
My daughter, Prianna Lee, turned two last month. I still remember being in the delivery room. Julie was in labor for six hours. I saw everything. I’ve never seen anything like that, probably as long as I’ve been on this Earth. It was probably the most amazing thing I’ve experienced.
 
Being a father, it helps you grow, put life in perspective knowing that this little one needs your eye, your teaching, your care for the rest of their life.

I think about it every time I wake up, every time I come home from practice. Now you get done with the game, you get done with practice, I can’t wait to get home and see my little daughter. No matter how your day is going, you go home, you see her, she comes running up to me and you forget all your worries.
 
I’ve had bad days, bad games and she erases all that stuff for me. That’s the beauty of it. You don’t think about any of your worries when she’s in your arms and she’s giving you a hug because she doesn’t care about none of that stuff.

As told to Globe reporter Julian Benbow.

Paul Pierce's FitClub34 by Harvard Pilgrim is a Truth Fund program providing children with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org