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| She's not heavy, she's my daughter!
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This morning as I drove over to my daughter's house to pick up my little grandson as I do every Tuesday, I deliberately drove the road past our local primary school. I don't know why but it lifts me heart to see those little ones and takes me back to those busy mornings years ago when I walked my own little ones to their school. I love to see the little P1's, little taller than their schoolbags, as they toddle across with the Lollipop man.
The traffic moves slowly as cars stop to let out their children and others pull out, their duty done, so I have time to observe. This morning I saw something which really touched my heart and made me think. Walking up the road I saw a young man holding the hand of a little girl who I judged to be 5 or 6. He was walking on a stick, slowly and painfully and his right leg was bent at a horrible angle so that he had to lead with his left leg and swing the bad leg over. His progress was slow and painful but his face was animated as he spoke to the child. Over his shoulder he carried her school bag and it struck me that he was carrying her burden even though his own burden was greater. He was her dad and he was trying to make her load lighter.
I don't know what caused his handicap. A road accident? I have no idea. Holywood, the town where I live has always been a garrison town so that young man could be from the army barracks. What I do know is he was fulfilling his role as parent in the most special way and he certainly touched my heart.
Further round the corner I had to stop as a lorry with a trailer negotiated to reverse into a driveway and traffic came to a halt. I saw a shiny, black Porsche pull up and a very smart looking business man get out from the driver's seat. He walked round to the other side of the car and helped his passenger out onto the pavement. The little boy who got out reached up for his father's hand and as I watched from my wing mirror, the two walked along sharing secrets we will know nothing about. The thing I did notice is that that little boy's foot was pointing away from his body. He was wearing a special shoe but he was walking with confidence. His dad had him by the hand. Had I met the man in the smart suit getting out of his luxury car I would probably have imagined him to be a high flyer, a man with his eye on the top. Instead I was allowed to see him as a loving and tender father with his eye on his son.
As I drove on I thought just how valuable a lesson being a parent is. We have to forget about our own problems and concentrate on theirs. It isn't a bad lesson for life, teaching us to put other's needs first. And no matter how heavy our burden, how bulky our load, we all have a Father who loves us unconditionally and is there for us no matter what has happened or what time of day it is. Isn't that an amazing thought?
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| Blog Comments
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I really enjoyed reading your article and it really does teach us a valuable lesson about what is important in life. its also very well written!
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Posted by ffeeona
on 2008-04-15 07:05:15
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Wonderful post :) You brought me back...nice memories. Our children are small for such a short time. It seems that all you have to do is blink, and they are grown up. One day you are tying their shoes and teaching them to read...before you know it they're off and flying on their own.
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Posted by pitapie50
on 2008-04-15 07:19:52
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I really enjoyed reading that. I hope I'm as good a parent as these people.
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Posted by southernsun
on 2008-04-15 07:40:18
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Oh E, you are such a great descriptive writer, I felt for each of those parents, and made me feel warmer about the role I play in my children's lives.
And you are right,no matter how high up you are, you are the real you when you are with your most precious and amazing achievement .. your children.
Thank you
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Posted by EasyToSay
on 2008-04-15 07:54:46
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Easy, I just told a male friend of mine about you this morning and about the 'your seat' blog and he understood and felt better about himself so thank you.
Pitapie - aren't we sad, but then again we're not!
Southernsun - I'm sure you are, just because you want to be - thanks
ffeeona - thank you for the compliment - much appreciated
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Posted by overthehillandfar...
on 2008-04-15 08:05:22
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Elaine, it is great that you are so observeant of these little ones and how they react to their guardians. Our children are our future, and if we don't reach out to help them now where will we all be in the future? The Pope has just landed here at the Andrews Air force base and our President and first lady is there to greet him. Our children is an issue that he will be discussing a lot while on his visit here.
Thanks for share your thoughts with all of us today.
By the way, my survey question is concerning children, please fill it out. Thanks again Elain for being such a wonderful person. Much love to you today.
Davis
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Posted by davistheblackeagle
on 2008-04-15 16:46:51
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Beautiful Story..As a children's advocate and a childcare provider, I get to see these stories unfold firsthand. I have seen grown men in business suits get on their knees in the dirt to tie shoes, and business women untuck their silk shirts to wipe tears off of a little face. Being a parent is sometimes a thankless job, but it is the most important job we are ever entrusted with. Thanks for sharing, and hug your kids people. peace :) shemelts
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Posted by shemelts
on 2008-04-16 09:09:06
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Loved this post very much. I'm expecting my first and this was such a nice read.
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Posted by LadiLucifer
on 2008-04-16 10:14:34
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Thanks shemelts - that's a good job you have. LadiLucifer I look forward to celebrating good news with you soon. It's the most rewarding job ever, I promise.
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Posted by overthehillandfar...
on 2008-04-16 11:31:53
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I don't know if I am just particularly sensitive today, however, that post made me cry - in a good way. Thank you for sharing.
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Posted by Meredith
on 2008-04-16 12:12:26
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What a beautiful post and what beauty to have witnessed on your way to pick up your precious grandson. I'd say you had a wonderful morning! You write from the heart and it shows. You have a loving heart. Thank you. XXX
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Posted by Ellie2008
on 2008-04-16 12:16:55
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Thank you Ellie - you also have a kind and loving heart. Paddy Jack was suffering from a chest infection but made a great recovery after a long sleep. We had a lovely walk in the afternoon in bright, spring sunshine and it felt good.
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Posted by overthehillandfar...
on 2008-04-16 13:43:31
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I'm glad you cried in a good way Meredith as it all made me feel happy enough to make me write it. Hope your football match was good - looking forward to your post.
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Posted by overthehillandfar...
on 2008-04-16 13:44:32
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Sleep is good! I'm glad Paddy Jack is back to his fun self! Have a super evening.
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Posted by Ellie2008
on 2008-04-16 18:19:03
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thanks for sharing your wise words.
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Posted by roe
on 2008-04-16 23:35:58
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Wow! You seem to be blessing lots of people with your posts. I agree that our children are our most important investment. I am grandmother of 13 and loving it. There is a link on my thoughts site to my main blog with pictures of all. Stop by when you have time.
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Posted by sharetheword
on 2008-04-27 16:24:38
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I needed to hear this tonight...wow you are a wonderful writer..I am so glad we connected..it was a God thing for sure...hugs, cheryl
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Posted by Icareforyou
on 2008-05-05 22:35:52
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| Views: 170
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