I’ve come to the conclusion that for as much as we try to educate our children based on our experiences, what they teach us (or remind us) is infinitely more important. Take this weekend, for example, and the big, blue ball at the park just outside Capitola. The big, blue ball, is huge – bigger than me by a lot and that much more bigger than both Sofi and Natalie. Fortunately, it’s not intimidating and actually looks kind of fun. And, of all places, it’s perched at the top of a hill (with others already having started their decent), begging to be pushed from it’s teetering spot. I asked if they wanted to try and push it, thinking that they would think I was insane.
Instead, they were excited about trying to push it down the hill, and even as they were saying, “don’t be silly, Papa, we can’t push this down the hill” they were asking me to help to see if WE together could push it down the hill. ‘Cause, just the thought of this was too exciting an opportunity to pass up. So we pushed and strained and pushed a little more, but the giant ball did not move. One lesson learned; one to go.
As we walked away, Sofi said, “that’s okay, Papa, maybe next time” with a big, giant smile on her face. It brought tears to my eyes and made me realize that what I had forgotten is the simple joy of trying something – even when your mind says it can’t be done. Because, for all of us, that trying may be all that is needed. That little bit of effort brought Sofi, Natalie and me that much closer for trying together to see what we can accomplish and what we can’t.
These pictures will be my reminder, and “maybe next time” I will try that much more to do what I think can’t be done.
Papa
As an interesting side-note for any of the geeks in the house, all photos for this post were taken with my iPhone 3GS – and the quality seems pretty darn good.
