When I moved out of our old house, I was worried my children would miss it. I was worried they would miss the big, gorgeous saltwater pool we had that was all theirs, everyday, whenever they wanted it. I thought I would build a pool in our new house as well, but I found out what it would cost (not factoring in maintenance costs through the years). I decided it was not something I could do anymore. I worried they would feel bad about that. But all my worries and fears were unfounded. See them? All it took was this inflatable slide and a garden hose. There was no mention of missing the pool. Nothing. Our children are so easy to please. It's our adult conditioning that gets in the way. I should have known. When I turned 40, I took them to a beach in Laiya. I was worried because they are used to having kayaks on every trip, flying everywhere, having a yacht at hand and here we were at a beach that was less than white and far from private. They loved it. They would run to watch the fishermen bring in their catch and stand with them in commiseration at the sight of empty nets. I would often see my little one sitting quietly on his little flip-flops (to keep his bottom from burning on the hot sand), looking out into the great expanse of ocean and sky. My older son was just everywhere at once. Exploring. They even thought the soup, which was so obviously made from a powdered mix, was pretty good. They make me so proud. Why was I so worried they would miss such luxuries? They had me and will always have me. We forget how children always know what is more important and that being with their parents and the people they love, anywhere in the world, is all it takes. There will be no questions or longing for other things. All they need is already there.
6 comments:
Indeed, panjee, indeed! Your sons are lucky to have you as their mother!
And I am just so blessed to have them!
My brother was so worried about a gift to a godson whose father had showered him already with all the gifts he (the fsther) would have wanted as a child.
So my brother brought along a relatively cheap little gift to the party, a plastic robot he fancied at Kamuning market.
And guess what? It was THAT toy the godson clutched as he slept that night of his birthday party.
Kids appreciate the things we, jaded adults that we are, take for granted.
:)
Yes, they really do. My son came home from a weekend with his dad, showing me a pair of the "best slippers" they had to buy at the La Mesa Dam when his shoes got soaked through. They were super cheap--so cheap na wala ng brand--so thick pero parang mapupunit. He preferred them to his Havaianas because they were so light and comfy. "But, Mom, how come Violy said they are slippers of the poor ?" I was livid. I told him slippers are slippers. I had to explain to the helper that our children do not need to be fed concepts like that. They are slippers. Period. It's really the adults with all their prejudices and flawed concepts who show the children their skewed view of the world. Our kids know what's what.
My, what a beautiful entry! moved me to tears :) Love the line "They had me and will always have me." My son's name is also Santiago and, like you, we also have that great BOND between mother and child!
I hope to send him to Waldorf too when the time comes ;)
Don't fret. There is a child within each of us. It's just how we handle our responsibilities that may make us grow into terrible adults.
Post a Comment