Jul. 25, 2008
What I Want For My Children
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Sometimes I stop and think, "What do I want for my children? What do I want them, when they are adults, to remember about their childhood?" I want them to remember a mother who was a constant support in their lives. I want them to remember afternoons spent playing together, reading books, singing songs–evenings with the whole family in the yard playing soccer or basketball or baseball. I want them to remember a mom who devoted all of her energies to making a happy home for them–a mom who cooked dinner, baked cookies, and answered every question they ever asked. I want them to remember being loved. We were reading a biography of the Wright Brothers today, and the first chapter talks about their mother, Susan Wright. The book says that Mrs. Wright always valued the ideas of her children and never talked to them as if they were babies. When Wilbur was 11 and told his mother he might build a flying machine someday, Mrs. Wright didn't laugh of scoff or discount his idea. She just said, "Maybe you will." The exchange made me wonder if I always treat my boys with respect and show respect toward their ideas and opinions. I think I do, but I've been inspired to try even harder. Truly children, even ones as young as mine, have valuable ideas. I want to endeavor to show them the same respect that I show my adult friends. Maybe someday my boys will do something great and wonderful just like Mrs. Wright's boys did. |
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