Lessons from Errands

Just came back from a quick errand trip and learned two profound lessons that can be taught to your child.

1. It was pouring rain, that cold October type of rain when I left. I approached a stop sign to see a youngish woman, maybe late 20's riding a bicycle, no jacket, just a pullover sweater, long hair pulled back in a ponytail, carrying a grocery bag on the handle bars. Now, if my kids would have been with me, I would have asked them, why do you think that woman is riding her bike in the cold, pouring rain? It had been raining all morning, so it wasn't as if she got caught in a downpour. No, her trip was intentional and obviously needy. What was in her bag that was so important as to risk health to procure it? I would use this incident to be a catylyst for a critical thinking type of conversation. Investigate thoughts your kids could have to see how actions have ramifications.

2. While I was in the grocery store, the son of a past acquaintance came in to shop. He graduated from the local high school, but shortly after graduation announced that he was gay. I knew his family and saw the chaos that he came from and followed his dubious trek for attention for several years. A sad, sad scenario. Inattentive parents, consumed with their problems while their children are bleeding out. This young man needed his father's attention and his mothers good emotional health to become all that he could be. Now, he is endangering himself with his lifestyle and example to his younger siblings. Please, please, when you take on the committment to be a parent, remember that for many years, the children will have to come first in you and your spouse's life......Nurture so that the adult years of your children become an opportunity for some of the best friends you could ever have.....Invest the young years well......