Adelaide Oval, 29 October 2017
“MUM, when I’m an adult I want to
marry you,” I heard my son say to my wife as I washed dishes and she helped him
brush his teeth for bed.
In that moment I wondered what her
response would be. I was curious. Then I heard her say, “Sorry darling, but you
can only be married to one person, and Mum is married to Dad.” Then I chimed in
and said, “But you could marry someone like
Mum.” The conversation continued for a few more moments, but we could tell
these concepts were hard for him to absorb. But he was absorbed!
These are the precious moments of
our lives. Like all parents, we want a record of these events of innocence, as
they occur in all little children’s lives and ought to be celebrated.
Only minutes earlier my son wanted
to help me make coffee and I fobbed him off, and even as he walked away
dejected, I brought him back and said, “Sorry, Dad didn’t speak very kindly to
you then, did he… can you help me make my coffee?” — a moment redeemed! Life is
full of emotionally pregnant moments.
There are times when we watch our
son playing in the backyard or at the park or in his play area and we marvel at
his creativity. But if I’m honest, I’m usually preoccupied with the events and
plans in my life and I miss most of these moments, even when I’m present. It’s
those times where God reminds me to refocus and claim the moment, so I have
less regret in the future.
It’s like the myriad precious
moments in my girls’ lives as they grew through their childhoods. So many memories
to cherish. So many memories of having simply been present. And so many missed moments.
The older I get the more I think
that at some point I will have to leave all this behind; the people, the
events, the memories, and the possessions, which pale in significance.
Our family is a precious gift we’re
given, to hold and nurture and protect. Our children hold in their beings the
precious genome of character we sow into them today, in this season, which is
fleeting. Soon, all too soon, they will be the parents and grandparents. When our
son will be married!
Life. Be present. Make the most of
the precious little moments and surreal little wonders.
No comments:
Post a Comment