Comment of the Day: ‘I’m the Luckiest Person In The World Today’
From kalel666 on Dr. Helen’s “Reasons to Have Children!”
I’m quoting this entirely from Jon Gruber, because it so perfectly captures how I feel about my own kids:
Late last night, inspecting Santa’s handiwork, a simple thought occurred to me. A decade or so from now, when, say, I’m waiting for my son to come home from college for his winter break, and, when he does, he wants to spend his time going out with his friends — how much will I be willing to pay then to be able to go back in time, for one day, to now, when he’s eight years old, he wants to go to movies and play games and build Lego kits with me, and he believes in magic?
How much then, for one day with what my family has right now? How much? Everything.
The truth is, I’m the luckiest person in the world today. I hope you are too.
The place where dreams are born
In the movie AI after David is revived he is told that his mother, Monica, can be recreated from the DNA in the lock of hair that was was held by Teddy, but that she can only live for a single day and the process cannot be repeated. David spends the day with Monica and realizes true happiness. Monica tells him she has always loved him and goes to sleep for the final time. David lies down next to Monica, closes his eyes and goes to the place where dreams are born.
Definitely I am among the luckiest!
However, college does not, for our family, represent the end of family life. We just have to budget A LOT MORE for travel costs than what the college planners advise so the ones in college can come home for breaks, no matter how brief. And, for the kid who just wants to visit his friends, a big family vacation to a place he can’t resist will get you his undivided attention. These wonderful moments aren’t as spontaneous or inexpensive as when they were kids, but they are more precious now than ever.
I agree with this completely. People who’ve never raised children, or those who had children but never had a happy family life, have no idea how good it can be. I feel bad for them. I feel fortunate to have experienced it.