A father's wish
Jeff and Josh, when you have time, please visit and sit with me for a moment. Your father is no longer as strong as he once was. The arms that once held and lifted now you move more slowly. And my legs must now work harder so that I do not stumble. As I age, I often feel that I must race faster because I sense what lies ahead.
I remember when you two held my finger tightly as you learned to walk. clinging to my finger, you first took small steps. And then more steps. Soon after, you yearned the to walk and then to run on your own. And I fondly remember also being there when your children learned to walk.
I did not realize at that time that you were both taking the first steps in your independence. Mom and I were there through your formative years - baby steps soon became leaps. School and stories created space for your imaginations to grow. Then there were soccer games, where your running and ball handling skills emerged. Your interests and talents emerged living while at home and later grew more in college. Looking back over the last four decades, I am so very proud of both of you. And to think that I might have played a role. After you two were on your own, one of my "bucket list" events occurred as I hoped it would. The year was 2006. I smiled with pride as I watched you two playing indoor soccer together in Portland.
Time can be both a friend and a thief. When we are together, time can. Be our friend as it provides the opportunity to create lasting memories. Today it seems that time is also a thief as it goes by way too fast. Time is not slipping away by most accounts, as both our lives and yours are filled. Yet I find myself asking more frequently, "Where has the time gone?" I watch admiringly from a distance as you two meet the demands of everyday life.
If I reminisce about your lives growing up here in Utah, my memories are vivid. As you grew up, those times included both great memories as well making our way through difficult times. Today my wish would be that there were more times together with you and your families. Maybe even times when both families get together. Yet we both know your lives are so full that any times we could have together are limited.
Our house is much quieter now than when you two lived here more than two decades ago. I realistically accept that I grow older each day and know that time will not always my friend. So, my wish is that you both continue with those phone calls that help me stay a part of your lives. And please visit here when you can, so that we might sit and talk for a while.
I remember when you two held my finger tightly as you learned to walk. clinging to my finger, you first took small steps. And then more steps. Soon after, you yearned the to walk and then to run on your own. And I fondly remember also being there when your children learned to walk.
I did not realize at that time that you were both taking the first steps in your independence. Mom and I were there through your formative years - baby steps soon became leaps. School and stories created space for your imaginations to grow. Then there were soccer games, where your running and ball handling skills emerged. Your interests and talents emerged living while at home and later grew more in college. Looking back over the last four decades, I am so very proud of both of you. And to think that I might have played a role. After you two were on your own, one of my "bucket list" events occurred as I hoped it would. The year was 2006. I smiled with pride as I watched you two playing indoor soccer together in Portland.
Time can be both a friend and a thief. When we are together, time can. Be our friend as it provides the opportunity to create lasting memories. Today it seems that time is also a thief as it goes by way too fast. Time is not slipping away by most accounts, as both our lives and yours are filled. Yet I find myself asking more frequently, "Where has the time gone?" I watch admiringly from a distance as you two meet the demands of everyday life.
If I reminisce about your lives growing up here in Utah, my memories are vivid. As you grew up, those times included both great memories as well making our way through difficult times. Today my wish would be that there were more times together with you and your families. Maybe even times when both families get together. Yet we both know your lives are so full that any times we could have together are limited.
Our house is much quieter now than when you two lived here more than two decades ago. I realistically accept that I grow older each day and know that time will not always my friend. So, my wish is that you both continue with those phone calls that help me stay a part of your lives. And please visit here when you can, so that we might sit and talk for a while.