I was reading in the newspaper this morning about a man who has walked 30,000 miles with a sign that says "LOVE LIFE". His only son committed suicide and his daughter died of a drug overdose. Before she died she asked him why he hadn't conveyed to his kids how to appreciate life. He took it to heart. I think of all the parents who believe their kids need an iphone or lessons or name brand clothes. The parents who push success and popularity instead of showing, not telling, their kids that life is precious and there are so many joys that can sustain us: music, walking, animals, friends, dancing, reading, doodling, napping, watching birds and planting flowers, seeing the ocean or lake and observing clouds in the sky. We have access to these simple joys every day of our lives, and they don't require money or special skills or looks.
Kids sometimes see their parents as pressured and unhappy and afraid or angry. They don't get to see laughter or being bemused at making a mistake or the rapture of a beautiful day or walking the dog. They don't see the parents' hearts or souls, they see them working and getting mad at politics and watching TV, as if that was a panacea. It takes real effort to take "time out", and yet, that may be the most important example we can show them. My heart goes out to this father, and his brave attempt to point the way to meaningful life.
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