Week 230
Positive post Sunday, July 18, 2021- Week 230.
This week I’m continuing my Family Summer Series of Positive Post Sundays (I just made that up since I’m on a roll writing about the valuable time I have been spending with my family).
Our July 4th holiday was a special one this year. We spent time with our daughter Alison, our son-in-law Pat Buoye and two of our grandchildren Liam and Juliana (and Pat’s parents Liz and Pete, and our daughter Stacy, Sam and 4 more of our grandchildren, Kendall, Nikole, Christian and Benjamin). I’m a firm believer that family traditions are The foundation of a healthy family and our family has now started another one, spending our Independence Day celebration at Alison and Pat’s home.
While we celebrated this important holiday for our nation, we also enjoyed the Buoye hospitality which included, a great meal, watching fireworks from the school and enjoying quality family time. As I reflect back on the day, I am reminded of how proud I am of Alison and Pat and their beautiful family. They are caring and loving parents who are grounded in faith and family values. They don’t get caught up in our materialistic society and remain focused on the important things in life. Their love for their family is deep and they often place the needs of their children above their own.
Spending time with them on the 4th of July and most recently this weekend while on vacation in San Diego also reminded me of the poem below by Mary Rita Schilke Sill titled, “When you thought I wasn’t looking”. A good reminder for parents that our children are always watching and listening to us, and their futures will be shaped by the examples we set for them.
Rereading this poem inspired me to write my own version for Alison and Pat below. I’ve been told I have selective hearing, and likely deservedly so. However, I’m hopeful that with the good Lord’s grace and a filter of faith, I will continue to hear and focus on the important things in life.
Alison, When you thought I wasn’t looking
– As a young child, I saw you cry in fear one night when I came home from work because you didn’t know who I was because I’d been working long hours, and I learned the importance of work/life balance.
– I was shedding a tear watching you walk across that stage earning the top award in your class when graduating from your RDH program, and I was reminded of my passion for education and how proud I was of you.
– When Liam and Ani were born, I saw the joy and love in your heart, and I knew you would be an amazing mother and I thanked God for healthy grandchildren.
– When Liam and Ani got hurt, I saw the concern in your eyes and care in your voice, and I knew they would always be safe.
– I saw and heard your concern for our pool safety, and I was reminded to practice what I preach, and I installed a fence around our pool.
– I saw you love and provide for Liam and Ani, and I was reminded of the sacrifices parents make for their children.
– I heard Liam or Ani say a bad word, and I listened in shock and I knew they heard it from you😊.
– I saw you give grandpa a hug on the beach yesterday and grandma a hug last night before we all went to bed telling them both you love them, and I was reminded of how much you love our family and how blessed we are to have your grandma and grandpa in our lives.
Pat, When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking
– I saw a respectful and caring young boy at Sacred Heart Church, and I knew he was raised by loving parents.
– I saw the love in your eyes when you asked me for my blessing to marry my daughter on Balboa Island, and I knew she was going to be loved for the rest of her life.
– I saw you sacrifice your own personal needs to provide for your family, and I knew you would be an amazing husband and father.
– I saw you help at every family event, setting things up, taking out the trash, cleaning the table after a meal, all without being asked, and I was reminded of what it looked like to be a servant leader.
– I saw you working in the ER, studying for and earning your RN, helping me through my recovery and how you responded when Ani fell off the chair last night and bumped her head. I saw the Lord working through you serving others and I couldn’t be prouder of you.
– I saw you love my daughter and grandchildren, and I thanked God for bringing you into our family.
Liam, When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking
– I watched you hold Ani’s hand and hug her while you were walking, and I am comforted knowing that she will always have a big brother to protect her.
– I saw you, on many occasions, tell your mom and dad that you love them, and I know you will grow up to be a caring and loving adult with strong family values like your mom and dad.
Ani, When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking
– I watched you hug and tell your mom and dad that you love them, and I’m reminded of the positive influence parents like yours can have on their children.
– I saw you saying “Gussy” and walking up and giving your big brother a hug, and I was reminded of how special the bond between siblings can be.
– I saw you walking around with Brenda and how much you love her, and I wish I was her😊
Alison, Pat, Liam and Ani, when I see you together as a family, I thank God and remember how much I love you and how blessed and proud I am to be your father and Papa!
What is your example of “When you thought I wasn’t looking”? Have you shared it with your loved ones?