I can clearly recall, many years ago, my mother telling me that a parent really only remembers the good times of raising kids. Sure, there are some tough times, but those reside in the RAM and not on the HDD. I appreciate that she told me that. To tell you why would be to paint a rather unflattering self-portrait. So, let’s just leave it at that.
Today I look at my nieces, Wendy and Suzanne. They are on the front side of the parenting curve. I think of all that lies ahead of them with a little bit of envy. They come from good stock – quite possibly the best outside my own parents. So I am confident that there are many good memories ahead of them, and hope that they have a high-capacity hard disk drive. I say that because, nearly 18 years after I earned the title of father, I realize that the good times are in the small things just as much as they are in the big events.
Maybe I’m getting a little sentimental because my baby will heading off to college in 8 months. Hard to believe. But regardless of why, I’m really enjoying every minute I can spend with them one on one. Take last night, for example.
I need to preface this by saying that I am the only one in the house that eats seafood. When I travel, I try to eat seafood whenever possible. If it’s sushi, all the better. I’ve tried to get my girls to like it, but have not had much luck. So when the three of them suggested we eat at Ra Sushi in Chicago last week, I thought it was a joke. Not so. We had a great time.
And then last night it was just Abbey and I for dinner. We went to Sushi House and it was a fantastic evening. The food was great, and Abbey enjoyed it. But more than that it was just spending time with her that was so awesome. We had great conversation, and shared many laughs. We are even having a Facebook Jazz War. I’m kicking her butt, and expect the white flag to come out any minute.
I had a similar experience with Chelly last month when we had breakfast together. I remember pulling in to the garage that morning asking myself why I don’t do that more often? Heck, it doesn’t even have to cost anything. Even just a walk in the park across the street would be great.
So that’s my goal – more personal and meaningful time with the kids. I’ve always hated the phrase “quality time” as I thought the people that used it really didn’t know what it means. I now truly know what it means. It means wishing the time didn’t have to end.
