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With my daughter, Ashlan, being thrown in the air by me has always been a daily occurance. A couple of weeks ago she was playing outside with some friends. As I walked by her in the yard I couldn’t resist sweeping her up, tossing her high, and hearing her squeal. Only this time there was no squeal. Instead I received a stern look followed by an under her breath, “Dad, only when my friends aren’t around.” What? Since when? Well, in her mind since then.
I don’t like these changes. Too many and too fast. As a parent, I know you know what I’m talking about. Many times when changes happen between a parent and child, the parent find themself panicking over all the opportunities they missed. That’s not really it with me. Instead it’s grieving over what I’ll never have again. There an element of experience with them that is gone. And my memories don’t seem to satisfy.
It has spurred me on to continue pursuing a different kind of life. A simpler life. One not crowded with unnecessary meetings and an unrealistic agenda with work. One not crowded with church programs and multiple sports teams, as good as those things may be. There are so many good opportunities that try to steal my time away from the best opportunities -- the ones with my family.
No one is going to make me choose simplicity. I live in a culture that will be glad to take all my time, energy, money, and passion and give me nothing in return except an inflated view of who it thinks I should be. I choose simplicity. I choose family movie nights. I choose laying in bed reading. I choose walks around the block. I choose that which will one day pass but will never leave me empty.
As the school year winds to an end and the long days of summer begin, maybe you can discover simplicity with family. Take some time today and think of some way you can spend time with your teen that leaves you both fulfilled. Do something with your kids that you might not get to do a year from now. See where the time invested might take you. Use these summer months to add relational richness to your family. Don't let it pass by endless hours of video games for them and a cramped daily planner for you.
Dr. Seuss is gone from our home but I can still remember all his words. I visited his world with my kids on so many rainy days that his words are unforgettable. More importantly, those memories with my kids are unforgettable. I would much rather grieve what will never be again than grieve what never was.
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