I hope it didn't startle you. In fact, the video for the song playing is all the way at the bottom of my blog. It's rather big -- I was too lazy to see if I could resize it. But I love this song and the message of it.
Moving on....
Last week, my oldest son was the "Star of the Week" at school. Each day he got to do/bring something to help the other kids get to know him better. One day was family pictures, one day he brought his favorite book, one day was show and tell. Then, one day he had to write about something important to him. He chose his family (thankfully, he chose us over a video game or some type of food! LOL). He wrote one short sentence about each member of our family. For some reason I cannot explain, he wrote very "light" things about everyone -- "My dad is tall...my sister has long hair...my brother loves Thomas the Tank Engine..."; but then for me -- out of all the things he could have written -- he wrote, "My mom never knew her dad." I was really stunned.
It's true. I don't know my dad. We rarely talk about this in our house. It comes up every now and then because obviously, my kids don't have a grandfather on my side and they'll question it once in a while. I can't tell them much. My dad was out of my life before I was born (he didn't want a child), so my mom has pretty much kept me in the dark about him. I know his name -- and I know he didn't treat my mom too well. I have lived my entire life without a father, so although I have been curious about him at times, it has never really bothered me. But it appears, it really bothers my son.
I asked him why, of all things he could have written, he thought to share this fact about me. He said he didn't want to talk about it because he didn't want to upset me. He said he knew it had to upset me to talk about it, because he could not imagine going his whole life without knowing his daddy.
Doesn't it amaze you sometimes -- the things your kids remember or think about? I would have never guessed that my son ever even thinks about the fact that I don't have my father in my life. My son is eight -- he has lots of eight-year old things on his mind. He frustrates me many times because I feel like he thinks about himself first and foremost and can be very selfish. But then he'll show me a side that is thoughtful and compassionate -- a side that feels sad for me. And I think -- maybe I don't give the poor boy enough credit.
People who think kids aren't affected or take no notice of what goes on around them are SO wrong. I am very aware that my kids take in pretty much everything -- but still, they will say or do something sometimes that makes me realize even MORE how much they really are in tune to their surroundings and what is going on in our lives.
Okay -- enough of my rambling for today. Happy Monday to you -- and have a great week!!!
8 comments:
Wow! It does make you think doesn't it! He deserves a big hug!!
Oh, Rita, you've got me crying here, lol. You're son is so sweet. Indy is VERY sensitive to everyone around him's feelings. It's so sweet to see, I love that about him. I hope you have a wonderful week!!!
awwww how sweet, and kids learn and know so much more than we give them credit for. They can surprise us everyday.
It's amazing the things that they come up with. It obviously impacted him in a big way to think about something like that. What a fun thing for the kids to be a "star" and get to share like that.
Ok, I can post now.. Love the music tune you put on your blog. I may have to just stop by and listen to it, even if there isn't a new post. LOL
Rita as for what are kids do and say, they can be so deep that we don't remember we were probably the same way when we were young. But it is amazing to see these kind of things through our children. I see it with Sarah. I also see what you wrote as being "selfish", I'm putting this trait as an 8 yr old thing. Even if it isn't.. LOL But I see it, but like you say I see the unconditional love and sharing side too.
As for about your "missing" father, it's sad to hear, but maybe it was for the best, and it kinda sounds like it. (kwim?)Plus you have to give your Mom lots of credit because she raised a wonderful person, and didn't need him to do that. Hugs!
Wow! These kids do leave you wondering, don't they? God only knows what goes on in their little minds but sometimes their questions and concern overwhelms me.
Hugs to your son and a bigger one for your mom...
Kids are amazing. You always wonder what it is that goes on in their brains and then once in a while they surprize you with their thoughts.
Love the tune...had to buy this album just for this song.
DawnW
Yes, kids are amazing, and we should never underestimate their emotions or their thoughts. And I also believe there is something special about the mother/son relationship, something programmed into boys (especially, as in your case, the oldest), a protective instinct, from years gone by - ready to defend you when his Daddy isn't around. Does that make sense? A bit caveman or medieval maybe, but sometimes our men are still like that ayway!!
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