From my son, posted to my FB page
"...
When I
think about my kids...I realize that because they seem to be growing
much faster than I expect, they also appear to be much older and more
knowledgeable than they really are. Both my kids are great, loving
little people, but they sometimes do foolish, hurtful, even dangerous
things to each other and as I start to ask them a question like, "How
could you think that was ok!?", I realize the answer
to that question is...they're kids and they don't know any better! No
one has taught them yet about what might happen after sitting backwards
on top of the deck railing, no one has taught them what might happen if
they wrestle at the top of the stair case. It seems so obvious to ME
that those are bad ideas, but it's in those moments I realize that it
isn't obvious to them and that someone needs to teach them. Then realize
that I'm the one tasked with that job. Yikes, they're doomed!
It's those kind of experiences that often make me ponder all of my
failings as a father, things I wished I handled differently, wondering
if I'm even capable of being a good parent.
Thankfully those
feelings dissipate when I see one of my kids do something kind,
compassionate, or just plain silly trying to make me laugh with them.
It's encouraging when they apologize to their sibling after accidentally
poking them with a stick (without me asking!). It's then that I realize
that someone must have taught them to behave like that cause it sure
doesn't come naturally. Yay!!! When I further realize that I might have
had a part in teaching them something good (Rhonda probably deserves
more credit than me), it balances out the regrets around all the other
things I wished I did better for them as a dad.
Then the final
realization comes...I'm just as human as my kids and I'm just as
naturally inclined to do foolish, hurtful, and dangerous things. I'd
like to think I do fewer of those things as an adult, and I realize that
it's probably because someone cared and loved me enough to teach me.
Thanks Dad! Thanks Mom!
Happy Fathers Day.
-Brian..."
(Proud Dad tearing up now...)
1 comment:
That was an awesome letter to get from your son. You have indeed done a wonderful job Mark! Brian, if you read this comment, these are the kind of gifts a father wants, not a tie or cologne :-) Damn, now I am tearing up :-)
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