I woke up this morning thinking of a long time friend from my youth. He was a very smart and talented guy. He really was very philosophic. Give him a beer, a bar, and some locals of the town and he would soon have everyone in stitches. Together, Jerry and I had many conversations about farming, local politics, and family. In one of those conversations it had been mentioned about the responsibility that parents endure for the shaping of a human mind. When this information came to the fore I did not have any children. I admit that I was wishing and hating all at the same time for Jerry’s lifestyle. I am now in Jerry’s spot just 30 years later. My thoughts run parallel to Jerry’s musings during the 70′s. Mostly, we have kids as the common denominator. I remember this quote from Jerry as if it were said a minute ago. He said, “It is a heavy responsibility to mold a child’s mind.” Who would of thought that a thirty year old quote from a deceased friend of my youth would be the topic of the day for my blog?
Shaping a child’s mind, body, and soul can be daunting, demanding, and challenging. Yet the return yielded by the investment into a child’s body, mind, and soul are off the charts. My friend Jerry was a very smart man. I went to school with him. Some things you can’t hide and Jerry being smart was one of those things. Now I, on the other hand, while not being dumb I can honestly say no one ever said that I was tooooo smart either. This morning I really relate to what Jerry was trying to convery to me. If Jerry can question his own abilities on shaping his own child’s life then surely I may, as well.
Last night my son”s chest was congested. His stomach was a little upset and he was feeling over all. pretty bad but not bad enough to lay down during the day when it was play time but bad enough to make it uncomfortable breathing when he found the lights off and it was time to go to bed in his room. He ended up sleeping with us last night. He couldn’t sleep in his room. It took 30 seconds after the lights were turned out in our room and he was asleep. There was no doubt that his breathing was difficult. One could hear the congestion as he coughed and sniffeled. I fell asleep worried about the health of my son. I found it very difficult to rest last night. Consequently I arose earlier than usual. With in minutes Kellen was in the kitchen with me. Sitting in the kitchen with my son on my lap is an experience that will never to be equaled. He felt so bad physically and was very comforted as we sat for a moment with my arms around him while at the kitchen table. The feeling is a culmination of giving, sharing,trusting, caring, and loving the one your with. If I could bottle it I would. For I would be a millionaire monetarily immediately. I will non the less be content with being a millionaire mentally. The experience of bonding with my son can not be anything other than priceless.
My son woke up this morning rubbing his eyes. He always triesto rub the sleep away. As he entered into the kitchen he padded through the entry with an accumstomed gate of an experienced dirt hand heading to his dozer to start his shift on the road crew. As he plopped down unto my lap. (Notice I said down…he is almost as tall as his Mother) We both had a deja vu’ moment from the previous nite. As he hugged me he whispered in my ear,”Thanks for taking care of me, Daddy.” PRICELESS! Need I say more?
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