and it got me thinking about my own kids and then it hit me and hit me hard. It's something that you can't appreciate unless you have children... Your children literally worship the ground you walk on. You are their ultimate hero, the sun in their solar system. It's something I revel in, hearing how... happy? hmm, happy doesn't give the emotion the justice it deserves, it's something so much bigger than happy that they are when I come home from work makes me feel awesome! When they grow up, they'll always love us, but they'll start making their own relationships, their own connections and find new heroes. It'll never be like it is when they're little like my two monkeys are now (and for a little while longer...). I suddenly have a new found appreciation and sadness for parents everywhere, most of all my own. You don't see it when you're growing up, because, and rightfully so, you are growing up, you're becoming your own man or woman and you're exploring the world around you. There's no time in the day to run to your parents with excitement, you've got to change so you can head to the movies with your friends. You've got maybe enough time for a "hi." "bye". I'm sure I'll feel incredible pride for my children as they grow into their own, but I now can see that I'm also going to feel incredible sadness, sadness that I ultimately will have to reconcile and get past no doubt, so that I can enjoy my golden years with my wife, the woman who I created these lives with and enjoy the lives my kids make for themselves as well. However, I'm sure there will always be a small part of me that fondly remembers and secretly longs for the time when my little ones ran to me with unbridled exuberance and joy at seeing my face and hearing my voice. It's something that even reading my blog now, if you don't have kids, you can maybe envision what it would be like, but I don't think you can truly comprehend it and feel it's gravitas. Wow, that really hit me hard. So let me end this post by saying, while we can't go back to the way it was when we were little, I can honestly appreciate it now. I love you mom and dad. Thank you for everything you've ever done for me (and us, your five kids)
*Kristina Alexanderson work can be found here
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