This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 28th, 2007 at 5:17 am and is filed under Commentary, Feelings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
When I decided to create this blog, it began as a labor of love. It was a way for me to put down into words the love and happiness that my children had brought into my life, and a way for me to “give” them their history so that later on they could know how their actions had impacted my life and opened my eyes to a happiness and joy that could be neither bought nor stolen. If, at some point, I happened to make them laugh or cringe in embarassment later in life, all the better. Realizing this, I always think that there is something more that I can give, something else that I can share, or some way that I can be better for my children. And of course, when I think these thoughts, I am reminded of Diane Looman’s poem:
If I had my child to raise all over again, I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less.I would do less correcting and more connecting.I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.
I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I’d do more hugging and less tugging.
~Diane Loomans, from “If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again”
Fortunately, I do have my children to raise now and as my wife and I continue to share with them our views and values I only hope that we’re passing on things that they will find important. Just today, for example, I had to look at both of my daughters, who somehow had broken something they know that they’re not supposed to touch. I asked them what happened, and Natalie and Sofi both said that they were sorry, they broke it. No excuses, no reasons; no shame. They took responsibility for their actions, something we have tried to instill in them, and as much as I was trying to be disappointed because they had done something that they weren’t supposed to and broken something, I was terribly proud that they were my children. It took all I had not to reward them for their honesty and integrity (and for being so darn cute.) And, of course, it’s times like this that I’m even more grateful that I can share with you how wonderful I think my children really are.
As always we thank you, our friends, for being a part of our lives and sharing in the joy that we have for our children. Hopefully we’re giving you value for the time that you invest learning about our lives, feelings and children.
Papa
