Circus Keeps Coming Back, But Childhood Doesn’t

As a child, it always gives me a feeling of joy whenever our town fiesta is approaching. With the pre-fiesta activities, Carnaval, circus and the many fun games and rides, I'm always excited.

The story below gives you a great example when you come across the same situation. Fantastic parenting tips for growing positive kids.

When I was around thirteen and my brother ten, Father had promised to take us to the circus. But at lunch there was a phone call: some urgent business required his attention downtown. We braced ourselves for disappointment. Then we heard him say, "No, I won't be down. It'll have to wait."
When he came back to the table, Mother smiled. "The circus keeps coming back, you know."
"I know," said Father. "But childhood doesn't."

-Arthur Gordon

Jesse Cadelina
http://gearedforward.blogspot.com
Bringing family life to a higher level.


Source: Stephen T. Covey, Everyday Greatness
Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25578802@N04/29158639432

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My Little One, a Father Sings to His Sleeping Child

A father who sings a beautiful song to his son. So amazing that you won't regret spending a minute reading the lyrics of his song.

Let's see if you won't shed a tear after reading.
So sit back, relax and fastened your emotional belts.

In the Yiddish song "Mayn Yingele" ("My Little One"), a father sings to his sleeping child:

I have a son, a little son,
A boy completely fine.
Whenever I see him, it seems to me
That all the world is mine.
But seldom, seldom do I see
My child awake and bright.
I only see him when he sleeps;
I'm only home at night.
It's early when I leave for work;
When I return, it's late.
Unknown to me is my own flesh,
Unknown is my child's face.
When I come home so wearily
In the darkness after day,
My pale wife exclaims to me:
"You should have seen our child play."
I stand beside his little bed;
I look and try to hear.
In his dream he moves his lips:
"Why isn't Papa here?"

That song was written in 1887. Today, Papa and Mama are no longer in the sweatshops, but the anguish of the parent who has impaled himself on the sword of ambition has not changed. It has merely changed address.

-Jeffrey K. Salkin, Being God's Partner

Source:
Everyday Greatness, Stephen T. Covey



Photo credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45877066@N06/9068809828
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29712408@N02/4653408030