Lately, Tad the 2 and a half year old boy I watch, has been fascinated by his father's shoes. His father is a tall man and has big shoes. Tad likes to pull his father’s well-worn boots out of his closet and climb carefully into them. Then he has to walk in them - a clunky kind shuffling. It's interesting to watch the transformation that takes place in his mind and method. He stands up, adjusts his weight, then the hands go on the hips, and a very suave Big Boy swagger kicks in. "I'm the Dad," he says proudly and with purpose. Then we go shuffling about the house and yard looking for Dad size jobs for him to do. He looks at everything with an eye toward it’s potential. He's mended fences, raked leaves and rocks, trimmed the bushes and carried his small pile of clipped leaves to the giant leaf pile out at the curb, “just like a dad,” he says. Today he talked to me about 'shaving whiskers' like his Dad.
BUT, here's the best part - his idea of "Big” and “Dad," extend to love, courtesy and thoughtfulness. He carried the pillow for me - 'like a Dad', he said. He brought me a blanket - 'like a Dad', he said. He ran and brought me my phone when a text message came in 'like a Dad', he says. Tad required a Bandaid today. He also required a "Bandaid Buddy" - that's me. I took care of him first, then he opened a Bandaid and placed it on my forehead. I thanked him and told him I felt much better. I told him he was very good at taking care of me putting on Bandaids, "Yes," he said, "like a Dad".
Later, as I was cleaning cat poo from around his sand box (deposits left by the free-roaming neighborhood menace), Tad pushed the small trash can he watched me making trips to, up close to me for easier access. I hadn’t asked him too. Heck I hadn’t even thought of it myself. I was surprised by his action. Not because he isn’t a sweet boy, he is. I was surprised that he, being only two and a half saw the situation and figured out all on his own that what he could do for me would be helpful. Being surprised as I was, I turned and looked at him. He was now crouched close beside me in his Daddy's big ol' boots, "Tad that was a very helpful, thoughtful thing to do - Thank You so much". He smiled and said, "just like a Dad." Melt my heart. Yes, Tad, just like a real Dad. You don't know this yet Sweet Little Man, but there aren't enough of those kinds of Dad's to go around these days.
This says a lot about what goes on in this little boys world. His parents, both of them are hard working, self-sacrificing, openly loving and devoted parents. They don't scrimp on discipline and guidance. They don't scrimp on teaching and new experiences. They don't scrimp on fun. And they don't scrimp on loving care for Tad or for one another. They don't lecture. They teach by example. Rare indeed. This little boy doesn't know how lucky and blessed he is, but I do.
I also know how blessed I am to have these three people in my life. Daily, I get a quiet dose of love and family that touches me and reaffirms my belief in the beauty and power of love, and it's far reaching affects.
The parents of this fine young lad, have a few pictures in their bedroom but one really stands out. It is one of the most beautiful, moving photographs I've ever seen. It's a wide panoramic shot, taken against a hill covered with tall golden grass and nothing else. Perfectly placed at one-third frame are Tad's parents - before they were parents, when they were just two people very much in love. They are knee deep in the grasses, pressed front to front. They are wrapped tightly and lovingly in each other’s arms, sides of their faces visible. They are kissing. Not a steamy scandalous kiss, but a kiss clearly expressing their deep love for, and devotion to one another. Beautiful, so beautiful. It is a powerful image. Tad has seen it every day of his life. He doesn't realize it now, but this image will become very important to him in the years to come as he grows into the world and the man he will become. Right now I'm sure he takes for granted that all people are this way. Too soon, he will learn they are not. This image of, and the knowledge of what these two special people mean to each other and how they care for each other will be embedded in his character. I'm sure it will serve him well when it's time for him to formulate and understand his own ideas toward relationships. Tad will leave a mark in this world, as we all do. I hope his mark will be as powerful as his parents.
p.s. - As he and his parents live their lives, surviving changes and each others aging, I hope this image of his parents is how he will always chose to remember and see them - young, beautiful, in love, and devoted to one another.
BUT, here's the best part - his idea of "Big” and “Dad," extend to love, courtesy and thoughtfulness. He carried the pillow for me - 'like a Dad', he said. He brought me a blanket - 'like a Dad', he said. He ran and brought me my phone when a text message came in 'like a Dad', he says. Tad required a Bandaid today. He also required a "Bandaid Buddy" - that's me. I took care of him first, then he opened a Bandaid and placed it on my forehead. I thanked him and told him I felt much better. I told him he was very good at taking care of me putting on Bandaids, "Yes," he said, "like a Dad".
Later, as I was cleaning cat poo from around his sand box (deposits left by the free-roaming neighborhood menace), Tad pushed the small trash can he watched me making trips to, up close to me for easier access. I hadn’t asked him too. Heck I hadn’t even thought of it myself. I was surprised by his action. Not because he isn’t a sweet boy, he is. I was surprised that he, being only two and a half saw the situation and figured out all on his own that what he could do for me would be helpful. Being surprised as I was, I turned and looked at him. He was now crouched close beside me in his Daddy's big ol' boots, "Tad that was a very helpful, thoughtful thing to do - Thank You so much". He smiled and said, "just like a Dad." Melt my heart. Yes, Tad, just like a real Dad. You don't know this yet Sweet Little Man, but there aren't enough of those kinds of Dad's to go around these days.
This says a lot about what goes on in this little boys world. His parents, both of them are hard working, self-sacrificing, openly loving and devoted parents. They don't scrimp on discipline and guidance. They don't scrimp on teaching and new experiences. They don't scrimp on fun. And they don't scrimp on loving care for Tad or for one another. They don't lecture. They teach by example. Rare indeed. This little boy doesn't know how lucky and blessed he is, but I do.
I also know how blessed I am to have these three people in my life. Daily, I get a quiet dose of love and family that touches me and reaffirms my belief in the beauty and power of love, and it's far reaching affects.
The parents of this fine young lad, have a few pictures in their bedroom but one really stands out. It is one of the most beautiful, moving photographs I've ever seen. It's a wide panoramic shot, taken against a hill covered with tall golden grass and nothing else. Perfectly placed at one-third frame are Tad's parents - before they were parents, when they were just two people very much in love. They are knee deep in the grasses, pressed front to front. They are wrapped tightly and lovingly in each other’s arms, sides of their faces visible. They are kissing. Not a steamy scandalous kiss, but a kiss clearly expressing their deep love for, and devotion to one another. Beautiful, so beautiful. It is a powerful image. Tad has seen it every day of his life. He doesn't realize it now, but this image will become very important to him in the years to come as he grows into the world and the man he will become. Right now I'm sure he takes for granted that all people are this way. Too soon, he will learn they are not. This image of, and the knowledge of what these two special people mean to each other and how they care for each other will be embedded in his character. I'm sure it will serve him well when it's time for him to formulate and understand his own ideas toward relationships. Tad will leave a mark in this world, as we all do. I hope his mark will be as powerful as his parents.
p.s. - As he and his parents live their lives, surviving changes and each others aging, I hope this image of his parents is how he will always chose to remember and see them - young, beautiful, in love, and devoted to one another.