Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Keeping Up With My Kids

                                                                                                 Julie Kemp Pick


After the sleepless nights, terrible twos, and traumatic teenage years, I often think about some of the truly amazing things that my kids have done. They're amazing to me, because they're innate acts of goodness that cannot be taught.  

The first act occurred when  my boys were about 2 and 5 years old. They were playing in the sun room off of the kitchen, while I was cooking dinner. At the time, my toddler was always putting everything in his mouth. I prided myself on keeping everything sparkling clean, and safe for them to play with. My little guy was just about to put something shiny in his mouth, when his big brother snatched it out of his hand. After hearing the commotion, I quickly ran into the room. My heroic son had just saved his brother from chewing on a razor blade. Evidently, a handyman had left it underneath the TV stand. I quickly scooped up my firstborn babysitter and covered him with kisses. It took me a long time to forgive myself for not seeing that razor blade. Thank goodness my wonderful son did.

Another incident that I'll never forget took place when my younger son was about 9 years old. After my great aunt's funeral, we had gone back to my grandmother's house for dinner. She was very saddened to lose her only remaining sister, but as always kept it to herself. When my mom and I had finished setting the table, we noticed that my grandma was nowhere to be found. A few minutes later, I saw my golden boy curled up with his great grandmother, comforting her in her recliner. Then they walked hand in hand back to the dining room. I never found out what words, if any were spoken, but I do know that at only 9, he was able to give her all the strength she needed.

These stories are just a few examples of why I am so proud of my boys. Sure they've made mistakes along the way, but every mother's dream is to raise good kids. Though they love being with their friends, they still put family first. I guess some dreams really do come true. If only they would friend me on Facebook.     




.A to Z Blogging Contest

16 comments:

  1. don't they amaze you sometimes with their perceptiveness and care. They're special as children and wonderful as adults. My son and daughter have friended me on FB, it feels quite an honour. Sue@JumpingAground (Alliteration & drabbles)
    Sue@traverselife(Workplace bullying)

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  2. Kids have an innate ability to comfort that we forget as we grow up. We worry too much how it will be received or viewed, kids just see someone in need and do what they can, they never worry it's not enough or wont be accepted. As for FB sometimes it's better to not know that much about their socializing, I friended my dad, but block everything.

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  3. Kids operate on a very basic level. We lose that as we get older. Too bad.

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  4. I love hearing stories about kids who turned out well, and I can tell you really love your boys.

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  5. Those are both great stories. I always love to hear parents talk about their kids positively.

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  6. Sigh kids are wonderful aren't they. I think the worst my son ever did was to cut a big slit in the duvet cover with a pair of scissors. My 2 daughters have never really done anything too serious that I can recall.

    A friend had 2 boys who were always trying to post toast in the VCR, and broke a couple of them that way.

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  7. What beautiful stories. You have every right to be so proud!

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  8. Wonderful stories! Thank you so much for sharing your world with us. :)

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  9. That was sweet. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. @Sue - I'm so jealous!

    @Spence - Very well said! It's true, I'm probably better off not knowing everything.

    @mybabyjohn - Hopefully we won't completely lose it.

    @Angela - Thank you so much!

    @Amy - I thought that they might not get too upset if I wrote about things that happened when they were little. Thanks!

    @Tony - Great story with the toast!

    @Talli - You are so wonderful dropping in when you are wounded and getting ready for a big interview! THANK YOU, good luck, and feel better!

    Thanks Jeffrey!

    @Tonja - Thanks for visiting!

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  11. I am looking forward to those moments with my babies as well!

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  12. What a fun blog you have! As a fellow long-time empty nester with a slew of grandkids, count me in as a new follower

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  13. Sometimes it seems amazing that my kids and I survived those years, but they were great and turned out great. Sounds like you had much the same experience in child-raising that I did. Congratulations.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  14. @Kendall - Enjoy every minute of it, because it really goes by so fast. As a writer, you should always jot down as much as you can, because you really do forget things as you get older.

    @Susan - Welcome and thanks for following me! How nice to be a grandmother. I look forward to following you as well.

    @Lee - Thanks for visiting me. This really has been a remarkable experience. You have many things to be proud of. Thanks again, Julie

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  15. This one is your masterpiece.

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  16. With you as their mother, how could they be anything else but amazing? lrk

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