Sometimes I wish we could all just speak in "2 year old". So simple, so creative, so funny. And then, I got to thinking... "See my bum?" was not so much a question but rather a declaration. My bum is important. Anything it does or is associated with is important. See my bum? It sat on a fire truck today. That fire truck is now important. In fact, daddy, I'll have you know that anything my bum touches is catapulted to a level of prestige and honor never-before-known to that object.
See this high chair? It has obtained rock-star status because of my bum! See that car seat? It's bound for the hall of fame because of my bum. See that swingset? It will fetch over $1 million on E-bay because my bum touched it.
I can only hope and pray that she never loses that level of confidence in herself. Because one day, the world will show her its ugly side... put her down, mock her, tease her, criticize her, and otherwise make her feel worthless. And in those moments, I hope she remembers back to when she was 2. I hope she stands up to the world and says, "See my bum? It sat in a cold hard chair for hours on end to pull a 4.0 GPA. See my bum? It helped me endure falls and bruises to win state. See my bum? It got me through super intense study sessions at a prestigious university to graduate with honors. See my bum? It sat on airplanes and buses that took me places all over the world that I wanted to see."
"Yes indeed. See my bum? It was there to catch my fall the day the love of my life proposed to me. It sat in that rocking chair in the front room of our tiny little home for countless hours as I nursed newborn children I had brought into this world. It sat in that chair at the kitchen table for years, helping those kids with homework, putting puzzles together with them, teaching them invaluable principles to help guide them in their lives. It sat next to crying friends and family members who suffered heartache, stress, and loss in their lives. It helped me be a comfort and a support to them, and forget myself. It helped me serve others. What has your bum done?"
That's right cutie poo... "See my bum?" Say it loud, say it confidently. Show the world what you're made of. And that anything associated with your bum IS important, because you're important. You will do great things in this life. You and your cute little bum...
4 comments:
I'm excited to see where this little jewel goes in life. I pray when life rears it's ugly head at her, she doesn't get beaten down too badly. I pray she remembers the love of her parents. I pray that she grows to be EVERYTHING she wants to be in life. I pray she takes every challenge head on with her head held high. Like you, I pray that she never loses the confidence she has at this moment in life... If she does, let's make a vow now to help her find it again, and re-instill it however we can. I pray that she always realizes what an amazing daddy she has, and what a blessing he is in her life!
Well that little bum has run around uncovered in my home, so I guess that make my house pretty important too. She is so stinking cute and I love that she has amazing self-esteem. As parents we can continue to cultivate good self-esteem. It helps lessen the put downs the world places on our children. Treat them like they are the only thing that matters, then they will feel good about who they are and their place in the home.
Brad, the world of parenthood is awe inspiring, isn't it. It's also humbling. Our kids reteach us what our parents taught us, just in a really darling sort of way, don't you think? The trick as a parent is to praise them with integrity. In other words, don't praise them when they don't deserve it. I know that you are not parents of this sort, but there are parents in the world that praise their kids beyond reason, therefore the kids never learn to distinguish the right from the wrong. See what I mean? BTW, me and my bum have a very close relationship. We even talk to each other! hahaha ;>)
wow, wow, and wow again!
BRAD~I FREAKING LOVE IT WHEN YOU POST SOMETHING ON YOUR BLOG!
you should seriously consider a column in the paper!
reading this post makes me want to be a mom. it's like kay said: "the world of parenthood is awe-inspiring."
i'll be praying for olivia too, and all those other kids out there that are growing up in a world that is constantly fighting against them. but if you think about it, it's really cool that they were sent here at this time! brad and carrie, your kids are the leaders and warriors of the future! they are the ones that will be here till the very end probably. it's closer than we think! what an honor to have them as your family, and what a wonderful life they will have with you two as their parents!
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