Sunday Musings – December 3, 2017
This morning my thoughts turn to my son Jamie whose birthday is tomorrow. It is difficult to believe that it has been 47 years since we anxiously awaited his birth on December 4th. The picture of our son which I carry in my mind is always that beautiful baby which we brought home from the Princeton hospital. He is now, of course, older than I was when he was born, but he is still my little boy.
I could not have imagined how unprepared I was to be a father. Yet with much help we stumble through the process. There are, of course, many moment when one wishes for just a little bit of wisdom and the power to keep a child safe.
From day one I was challenged to accept that parenting was a metaphor for the essential lesson of this life journey; one is not in charge of anyone or anything. Occasionally one can continue to be helpful in practical ways, but mostly one continues to model not taking the decisions of others personally and being human is enough. Paradoxically the more we accept our humanness the more creative and loving we are.
Parenting is surely the most wonderful, joyous, difficult and important job in the world.
Jamie is a loving, independent thinker and creative artist. If he was not my son I would feel lucky to claim him as a friend.
Happy birthday to a wonderful man who just happens to be my son.
Written December 3, 2017
This morning my thoughts turn to my son Jamie whose birthday is tomorrow. It is difficult to believe that it has been 47 years since we anxiously awaited his birth on December 4th. The picture of our son which I carry in my mind is always that beautiful baby which we brought home from the Princeton hospital. He is now, of course, older than I was when he was born, but he is still my little boy.
I could not have imagined how unprepared I was to be a father. Yet with much help we stumble through the process. There are, of course, many moment when one wishes for just a little bit of wisdom and the power to keep a child safe.
From day one I was challenged to accept that parenting was a metaphor for the essential lesson of this life journey; one is not in charge of anyone or anything. Occasionally one can continue to be helpful in practical ways, but mostly one continues to model not taking the decisions of others personally and being human is enough. Paradoxically the more we accept our humanness the more creative and loving we are.
Parenting is surely the most wonderful, joyous, difficult and important job in the world.
Jamie is a loving, independent thinker and creative artist. If he was not my son I would feel lucky to claim him as a friend.
Happy birthday to a wonderful man who just happens to be my son.
Written December 3, 2017
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