As I was growing up, summer vacation always seemed just a little too long. But we ended the school year in May and did not start back again until after Labor Day. The summer break was longer than it is today. I had my notebook and supplies ready two weeks before the school year started. By that time of the summer, my friends and I were usually only hanging out, watching TV or whatnot. We had done everything we wanted to do during the summer. The summer had lost its glory. Being able to do basically what we wanted to had gotten old.
We were ready to get back to relationships that we cherished, but were only active during the school year. Those with whom we did not regularly interact during the summer, but were close friends with at school. And of course we would be able to interact with members of the opposite sex that we rarely came in contact with at all. Which was part of the urgency in wanting to go back to school.
Be that as it may, I was ready to go back to school long before the summer ended. The fall was full of activities (as well as cooler weather) and led up to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Church activities started back up as well. Fall was full of stuff to look forward to doing.
But now I am a parent. As happy as I am for the boys to go back to school and have something to do during the day, I dread the coming of schedule conflicts and checks I have to write. Fall is now a time of having to plan ahead for events and adjust the budget for sports and activities. When every utterance of "hey Dad" ends with something they need money for or a ride to or from an event we had not heard about.
The hope is that Cyndy and I will get a chance to enjoy the events and holidays before they rush by. Have a chance to share with our family the moments they will eventually be glad that they experienced and remember. But they will not appreciate the moments at the time. Because it is all about them.
As it has been for generations, with the advancement of knowledge and technology each generation has more to tend with than the previous one. With the exception of times of war. As a boy I had AM radio until we bought a TV. Which was black and white. Now our boys each have their own computer and TV.
I hope that my children will remember the things we did for them with fondness. The way I remember the things my parents did for my brother and myself. But the speed with which events occur and life goes by it makes it appear unlikely. We can only pray and hope. As our parents prayed and hoped that we would remember and appreciate them. Which we do. We just worry about doing as good a job as our parents in more difficult circustances.
In my Bible studies we have been reading in Genesis about Abraham and his descendants. They were thinking the same things we as parents think today. As much as we would like to ignore the fact, we are not unique in going through parental strife. These problems have been around since before Abraham actually. Yet continually throughout history, each generation has increased in its temptations, social events, and technological advancements. Which changes the dynamic of family life.
Our family will make it through as the generations before us. My children will remember and appreciate more than I thought they would. I believe that they will make me proud of them and them of themselves. I will be pleasantly surprised, but it will be when I least expect it. Yet there is one thing that will not change and has not changed throughout the ages. It will not be easy. It has not been easy since Adam and Eve and it will not change with me.
Like everyone since Adam and Eve I will trust in the Lord. And like my biblical ancestors, my family will be blessed.
Peace be with you.
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