As we know, or should know, today is the first day of Summer. As parents, this is the time that we really notice how quickly our children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren are growing. Now, for many of us "growing up" is in the past tense, as far as our children are concerned. Now, it is our grandchildren that have replaced our children. It is in the summertime that these little miracles of ours seem to change the most. They change us as well. Regardless of age, it is now that we notice a clear cut template for physical and emotional growth.
It is only later that we notice their spiritual growth in the context of our own lives. Because our spirits also change with theirs, and often because of them, we are caught unprepared either by a first step, first word, or first boyfriend/girlfriend. Of course there are so many other important stages of life development such as a wedding, a birth, and job promotions, and hopefully, we are given the opportunity and the grace with which to observe them.
It was in the summer that I first noticed the tremendous growth spurts that my children experienced. Summertime was when my children's bodies response to hormonal influences began to be noticed by their mother and I. Summer was when my son's white blond hair began to turn dark, and when my daughter found her oratory skills. This was when, and through shear determination, that her litigative summations, and ever necessary side bars that she tried to reason why she should stay up so late.
I remember that it was in the summer that both my wife and I seemed to be running a taxi service for their soccer and basketball teams or clubs, games, and associated events. How could time slip by so quickly while sitting in the bleachers, and listening to the other parents complaining (as we did) about the stress of travel, and or the officiating of so called "referees?" How did time slip by so quickly through the sometimes mind numbing boredom of team awards, and parental politics?
It sure seemed to me that it was during the summer that romance blossomed for both of my children, and as parents, we had to be on high alert. It was the magic of summer that our children found wonderful literature to read (on their own), music to listen to (B-52's for my son), and the exploration of art for my daughter. In the summer night never seemed to arrive, but mornings were so sweet and cool before the sun came around to push you out of the house, and to the beach or gym.
Much can be said for the other three seasons that we all travel through, though for some, not in the same sequence. Still, it was during the summer that so much of our children's lives changed, for better or worse, and it was the same for us as parents. However, it is during the summer that hope abounds, and hoops are rebounded, Gatorade is plentiful, summer fruits are at hand and at mouth. I remember an old song by Nat King Cole about summer that will always remind me of barbecues, the beach, and the hot asphalt that was between the parking lot and the city pool.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Curtis_F_Williams
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