Enjoy
Pensiveness March 7th, 2006Time passes so quickly. Childhood disappears. It happens earlier for some than for others, but it seems that it eventually ends for everyone. Tickle fights will lose their enjoyment. Coloring will become boring. Firecrackers will become annoying. Hikes will become more about the destination than the walk in the woods. Silly faces at dinner will be embarrassing instead of laugh-out-loud funny. Friends become a “boy” or a “girl” instead of a “friend.” Life becomes a series of things to endure or complete instead of a mystery, an adventure, a circus.
Does my father look back 30 years and wish he had done anything differently? Does he wish now that he could have wrestled just one more time? Thrown one more ball? Caught one more fish? Chased one more pirate or shot one more indian?
Will I look back in 30 years and wish I had done anything differently? I already look back three years with that wish. But right now the next 27 are a clean slate. Tomorrow is a clean slate. Tonight is yet a clean slate. I have my chalk — now get out of my way.
March 7th, 2006 at 11:26 pm
I have to believe that if I don’t think I would have done some things differently I haven’t learned a thing. Until I was 36 I did it my way.
March 7th, 2006 at 11:37 pm
You know, I remember playing baseball, fixing the cars and things around the house, launching rockets, wrestling, and fishing, among many other things. And I do not feel the least bit deprived. On the contrary. And the longer I live the more I can begin to glimpse the effort you and Mom put into us. I pray my kids’ memories are as wonderful as mine.
Thank you.
March 19th, 2006 at 5:15 pm
Well said. My parents made many errors along with their many successes. I have wonderful memories of hiking and camping and various special times spent as a family. I also have those memories of times and experiences that weren’t so wonderful. It is these that I find myself struggling not to repeat. I never gave my parents nearly enough credit for the efforts they put forth to raise a “strong-willed” child. (Granted, they only had one) but I now see how hard it is to balance all that goes into providing for, as well as spending time with our children. Mark, again, well said. I appreciate your friendship, and am challenged by your example.
May I borrow a piece of chalk?
March 19th, 2006 at 9:40 pm
Wow, Chad. Thanks for the great thoughts.
From what I’ve seen, I should be asking you for the chalk.
I am inspired and encouraged by you, brother!