While obviously not perfect, my three are pretty good with their manners. They thank us every night for making dinner. They thank us for taking them places and buying them things. They thank us a lot.
I like it. I think it helps them learn gratitude and appreciation.
And we thank our kids as well – we thank them when they help us with something or when they go on an errand with us. We thank them for kindness they show to each other. We thank them for their thankfulness.
But today I ran into a problem. I realized that for the things I am most grateful to my children for and for the things I am most indebted to them for, there is no real way to thank them in a way that would make sense to little ears.
After all, how do I thank them for reacquainting me with deep and profound joy?
How do I thank them for showing me innocence?
How do I thank them for not only needing me but for wanting me in ways that no other human possibly could?
How do I thank them for their trust and their affection and their camaraderie?
And how do I thank them for teaching me this special love that a parent has for their child?
I remember reading a few years back that parents aren’t any happier than non parents. I don’t really know if that is true or not. But what I do suspect is that parents experience far more joy than they ever could have without children.
Magoo and I had a big day today. She got her ears pierced, we went out to lunch and dinner, she bought a First Communion dress, veil, and gloves, and she had a special Scout meeting where she learned how to paper mache and do other paper crafts. As far as little girls go, it was about as big a day as they come.
She was jumping all around all day; she kept telling me how this day couldn’t get any better and how second grade is such an awesome time.
And I find myself suspended in this other plane during these moments. It is as if all the bells in my head are going off, and the whole world stops around us. I am acutely aware of just how much meaning these moments have, and I am trying to suspend them and the joy contained within. I am trying to will the universe to preserve this moment and mark it on my heart.
It was joy.
It brought me to tears.
It reminded me of just how much these three (and even already number four) bring to me and to us. How much they bring to those around them and to the world.
The world doesn’t cater to people. It doesn’t often see us as special or important or noteworthy. But God does send us these little people who to us seem like all that is good and pure and holy. They are a gift God gives to us to show us a glimpse of His love for us. They are our tokens to joy and the memories are our souvenirs.
And I have all these thoughts going through my head, and I look down into her big bright blue eyes, and all I want to say is thank you.
But I find myself speechless. Because how do you say thank you for all of that?
For some things there just are no words.