A Message for Parents Who Travel
Fifteen years ago I found myself standing in my closet, madly searching for clean clothes in a last minute attempt to pack before yet another business trip, when I noticed my 4-year old son standing at the entrance.
In one hand, he held a small blue wand, in the other -- a plastic bottle of soapy water.
"Dada," he said, looking up at me. "Do you have time to catch my bubbles?"
Time? It stopped. And so did I.
At that moment, it suddenly made no difference whether or not I caught my plane -- I could barely catch my breath. The only thing that existed was him and that soulful look of longing in his eyes.
For the next ten minutes, all we did was play -- him blowing bubbles and laughing. Me catching and laughing, too.
His need was completely satisfied. His need for connection. His need for love. His need for knowing, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that absolutely everything was perfect just the way it was.
Next time you're rushing out of your house for your next business trip, remember to STOP and catch the bubbles. Fifteen years later you won't remember the trip, but you will remember the bubbles.
Comments
I LOVE THIS!!! I often remember to stop and smell the roses,,, but this (to me) is much deeper and adds to both lives! When my first son was born, I remember reading - if a parent plays with their child a minimum of twenty minutes (no idea where they got this crazy figure, but it was in a renowned book of the time) a day they are doing a great job. I'm happy to report, I always managed to get more than twenty minutes of playing/connecting in per day. Today, however, often feeling 'stiff armed' by two teenage boys, it is sometimes difficult to spend twenty minutes per day connecting. It is my belief: the harder it is to accomplish, the more important and rewarding the experience can be... Maybe not today, but twelve years later when my adult children realize how much I always tried to 'catch their bubbles' I will reap the rewards.
Posted by: jessie679@gmail.com ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](https://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 12, 2010 11:44 AM
Absolutely true. Making time for the young ones is critical in their growth. It makes all the difference! Incidentally, I also had an interesting experience with my 4-yr old son. Read more of it in "Leadership is not for wimps" http://leadbychoice.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/leadership-is-not-for-wimps/
Posted by: KimunyaMugo at February 11, 2012 01:41 PM
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