I'd love it if you took up the prompts too. I'll post one every Monday and some time during the week, you can do your own post about it. I may turn this into a linky (but don't know how to make a button, so will have to wait until I can find someone to make it for me. We can just call it the Blog Prompt link up or something simple). But for now, if you choose to write the post, just pop back in here and leave the link in the comments. I'll post all of the links on my Facebook Blog page.
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| I have a linky pic!!!! **** |
This week's prompt:
"If you could only give your children one piece of advice, what would it be?"
I thought about this for a moment, thinking it would be hard. Of all of the wisdom we want to impart to our sons, what woud be the most important? But honestly, it took only minutes to settle. I know what I want my sons to be.
Be kind. To everyone.
No matter who they meet or where or how, I want my sons to be kind. With rare exceptions, I am kind and polite to everyone I meet, and so is Joel. I want them to be kind. Even more (perhaps less of my snark would help?).
Being kind won't always mean they 'win'. It won't always mean they get what they want. And to many it may seem like I'm grooming them to be pushovers. But I believe that if you are kind to people, you will receive that back. More importantly, you don't know how that might impact them. You don't know that your kindness might not have a profound affect on someone, on a day or at a time they need it most.
And even if they don't get the job, win the race, get the girl {who if she doesn't love a kind, gentle man, doesn't deserve them anyway}, they will know what they did the right thing.
I want them to have the reputation their father had when I met him {and still has}. I was told by so many what a nice guy he was. Sweet, gentle, caring. Kind. Compassionate. It may have seen him in the 'friend' category from the word go, but it was the basis of a deep, passionate, lasting love. The love that created these two precious children we adore so much. The love that resonates in this home where hugs and kisses and laughter and "I-love-you"s abound. A love displayed openly in front of our children, that has them comfortable with affection, quick to proclaim their love to us - enthusiastically and often.
I have always been kind. Or tried to be. I've not always succeeded. I am estranged from my siblings, it's true. But because I got tired of always feeling walked over. I lashed out just before the BP diagnosis. I don't regret the estrangement that followed; my life is far more peaceful now. But I regret the venom with which I erupted, finally breaking free from them.
The blog post I wrote only a week or two back. It wasn't kind. I stand by my thoughts about the award. I stand by my belief they werent' racially based. But in hindsight, it wasn't kind. Singling out someone publically and speaking ill of their blog, no matter my thoughts on it, was unkind . It was unlike me and I regret it. It disappointed people who know me, and I regret that more.
So, my sons. Be better than me. Be kind, to everyone you meet. Whether it be your friends at school or work; the person serving you in line; your family or your wives or children - please be kind. Be ever aware of a person's feelings. Do your upmost to treat people with kindness and respect. Surround yourself with others who are kind.
I'm already seeing this in both of you, particularly in you Alexander - the fact that you'll do anything to avoid hurting anyone else's feelings.
I'll love you no matter what. But nothing, nothing you could do or be would make me prouder.
(With HUGE thanks to Kirsty from Mummy to Five for making this for me tonight. I love it. I will find out how to turn it into a button with a code underneath. Yes. I am that bad at this kind of thing).
