Bird Droppings October 14, 2012

Looking into a child’s eyes

 

Another morning much like many others that have passed by, I sit thinking about what is passing by as I write. I walked outside for a few moments to feel the coolness of the air and stars over my head. Orion and the big dipper greeted me in this silent morning sky. It takes people, places, things and reality all shifting and interplaying with each other to create our existence. It has been several years since a friend’s daughter passed away after a battle with cancer. I recall reading various emails and such about where to send flowers and notes. I had been going all day yesterday from early morning and got a text from my son would we mind if they come visit since he did not have to work. Both my wife and I were fighting colds and were trying to figure how to get to see our grandbaby this weekend and a solution was at hand. Somewhere around eight last night a small knock at the door and almost as quick the front door flung open and a tiny red headed munchkin came flying in the house. She was so excited running literally in circles hugging grandmommie and pop pop and her uncle one then the other and running more circles almost making me dizzy. Finally she slowed down and came over and hugged me for what seemed eternity. Her mother said when they told her they were going to visit grandma and pop pop she was so excited she jabbered all the way here.

Many years ago I recall a moment one night when my wife woke me and said our son wanted to talk to me and I rolled over and fell back to seep. As I am thinking back after holding my granddaughter last night and realizing how precious every moment is I am sitting here this morning in the quiet and dark of early day and I am sorry I didn’t take that moment to listen. Our moments are far too few too precious to waste, to pass by and to let slip away.

 

“The joys of parents are secret, and so are their grieves and fears.” Frances Bacon

 

“Is the parent better than the child into whom he has cast his ripened being? Whence, then, this worship of the past?” Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Perhaps it is only a passing thought yet it is so heavy, thinking of where and when and why each event has transpired in our lives and with our children.  Most parents have those moments like dropping off at school the first day, graduating from high school and dropping off at college the first day. I received an email from college about being bored and an attachment of a Georgia Tech mascot drawn in Power Point from my middle son his freshmen year. I still have a folder of all of his art work most recently football posters reflecting Tech’s opponents in not so flattering poses.

 

“How many hopes and fears, how many ardent wishes and anxious apprehensions are twisted together in the threads that connect the parent with the child?” Samuel G. Goodrich

 

“Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation.” C. Everett Koop

 

In 1984 or so I was at a County fair and taking photos of children showing their lambs, an angry mother stopped me as I about to take a picture of a little tiny girl showing a lamb nearly twice her size. I did eventually take the picture and several months later gave a copy to the mother, it was a pretty good photo. We have been good friends ever since and that picture is still hanging in her office her daughter now a teacher in South Georgia.

 

“Parents are often so busy with the physical rearing of children that they miss the glory of parenthood, just as the grandeur of the trees is lost when raking leaves.” Marcelene Cox

 

“Don’t throw away your friendship with your teenager over behavior that has no great moral significance. There will be plenty of real issues that require you to stand like a rock. Save your big guns for those crucial confrontations.” Dr. James C. Dobson

 

Sitting by the phone waiting to hear a word, before the day of cell phones and text messaging used to be tough on moms and dads. My wife and I nearly daily call, email, text and sometimes even go visit our kids wherever they may be. Perhaps not all families are that way but it is important to us and our kids. I know some families where the kids’ leaving home is what parenting is all about. I have always been disturbed hearing parents say they cannot wait to have the house to themselves.

 

“Your children will see what you’re all about by what you live rather than what you say.” Wayne Dyer

 

“We must teach our children to dream with their eyes open.” Harry Edwards

 

When I walk into class each day I think about the moments I get to spend with this group of kids and try not to waste it. I try to open eyes and hearts to what is around them and to each other.

 

“Grown men can learn from very little children for the hearts of little children are pure. Therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss.” Black Elk

 

“Each child is an adventure into a better life –an opportunity to change the old pattern and make it new.” Hubert H. Humphrey

 

“The more people have studied different methods of bringing up children the more they have come to the conclusion that what good mother and fathers instinctively feel like doing for their babies is the best after all.” Dr. Benjamin Spock

 

We need to take that moment and sit and listen, for it will never come again in exactly the same way with the same feeling and events to drive it. Not too long ago I was asked why do you take so many pictures. I responded if I didn’t take that particular picture who would and a moment a special moment would be lost. My dear friends keep all in harm’s way on your mind and in your hearts and all who have suffered loss may they be filled and as you go about your day always give thanks namaste.

 

Wa de (Skee)

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