Over the weekend, little boy #1 came up to me quite randomly and told me how he had enjoyed going apple picking. I looked down at him and said, "I am very glad you had a good time." In my mind I said, "wow - you could have fooled me!" From the minute we got out of the car, he repeatedly told us how he wanted to go home and kept sitting down in between the apple tree rows requiring much prodding and eventually a wagon ride to keep moving.
My wandering mind soon led me to reminisce about a few of my family outings, clearly remembering a few key thought like "I don't care about this natural earth formation, when it came to be or why," "why am I stuck in this car instead of on a boat cruising the ocean," etc. Don't we all remember the times our parents were trying to give the family a wonderful time, and instead we spent way too much of the moment grumbling?
Despite the lack of interest we, or now our children or perhaps a friend, may show in activity, it is paramount to remember that we are still spending time together! We are being introduced to or introducing someone to something new or being exposed to/exposing them to something that may change the way they view the world in which they live or the people they share this life with.
Compared with meeting Mickey Mouse or watching the hottest movie of the year, don't you actually remember those times that, while they were occurring, seemed painful or unimportant or perhaps at least the lessons learned from those moments? I remember skiing with my dad, even though it meant early Saturday mornings and often 10 really cold fingers and toes and the joy I get when I sit down at a piano and the memories of stopping for a quick bite to eat, even though I am sure I gave my mom some gray hairs complaining on the way to lessons. I am also incredibly thankful for the great appreciation my parents instilled in me for nature…now I must remember this when my children are "wondering" why we have to walk a mile to see yet another waterfall!
I am a better person for the many moments I spent with my family; I hope my children are better people for our family moments, as boring, difficult, or awe-inspiring as they may be.
My wandering mind soon led me to reminisce about a few of my family outings, clearly remembering a few key thought like "I don't care about this natural earth formation, when it came to be or why," "why am I stuck in this car instead of on a boat cruising the ocean," etc. Don't we all remember the times our parents were trying to give the family a wonderful time, and instead we spent way too much of the moment grumbling?
Despite the lack of interest we, or now our children or perhaps a friend, may show in activity, it is paramount to remember that we are still spending time together! We are being introduced to or introducing someone to something new or being exposed to/exposing them to something that may change the way they view the world in which they live or the people they share this life with.
Compared with meeting Mickey Mouse or watching the hottest movie of the year, don't you actually remember those times that, while they were occurring, seemed painful or unimportant or perhaps at least the lessons learned from those moments? I remember skiing with my dad, even though it meant early Saturday mornings and often 10 really cold fingers and toes and the joy I get when I sit down at a piano and the memories of stopping for a quick bite to eat, even though I am sure I gave my mom some gray hairs complaining on the way to lessons. I am also incredibly thankful for the great appreciation my parents instilled in me for nature…now I must remember this when my children are "wondering" why we have to walk a mile to see yet another waterfall!
I am a better person for the many moments I spent with my family; I hope my children are better people for our family moments, as boring, difficult, or awe-inspiring as they may be.
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