Childhood memories.

As I try to remember the carefree days of my own childhood I usually end up remembering little life moments. I remember about what age I was due to what was going on at the time, the details are fuzzy a lot of the time, others crystal clear. I remember what made me scared, happy, safe, excited or just content.

The other day I was reading someone else's blog post in reference to what memories matter to children. It was an intriguing thought that I feel is very helpful and wise to consider as we raise our own children.

In the world today so much focus is on money, good times, fun trips, entertainment. Yeah, that is a big focus and a vain one at that. "All is vanity..." (Ecclesiastes)

What I read was implying that children don't cherish the big trips to Disneyworld nearly as much as they cherish those seemingly simple little life moments that happen day to day, week to week, year after year. And as I looked back, I saw the obvious truth, this person was right!

I remember one morning my parents waking me up to tell me "HEY we are going to Schlitterbahn, water park today!" I remember them telling me that, but memories of the actual trip are vague. The actual rides were kinda fun I suppose, but in the end what I remember is that I only felt safe if mom or dad were next to me, that they woke me up in the morning happy to see me and excited to do something fun with me, the car ride etc. All the simple little stuff. All in all that day never really stood out in my mind and I cannot remember much of anything about it to be honest. You think a kid would be thrilled, a little mini vacation on the weekend to a fun filled water park but, no, that isn't what really matters to children.

The memories that are the very strongest in my mind are the ones that happened at home. I remember washing dishes with dad while mom was out. I remember, daddy dancing me around the house to polka music, him listening again and again as I pounded out nonsense on the organ and made up songs to sing to him, I remember mom waking me from my naps and make me a cheese sandwich then us watching Eyewitness news together. I remember dusting the furniture, cleaning the bathroom, and helping her hang out clothes. I remember grocery shopping as being a fun outing and eating supper together as grand wonderful and exciting, I'll never forget finishing my plate and proudly showing it off to them! I loved my parents and they loved me. They cherished me and I knew it. They included me in the daily chores and outings. I was rarely left elsewhere. I was their girl all the time!

Thanks to the wonderful memories made at home with my mom and dad I grew up with values, confidence, love, a good world view, a love for the Lord, wonderful memories of happy times, knowledge, wisdom and the ability to seek all of those things for myself and my family. I was taught how to live by "living" life with my parents and not just partying through it or stuck shut away in my room with my TV and my cell phone. I wasn't sat in front of video games on Saturdays but instead out mowing the lawn or vacuuming the top of the cabinets and I loved every minute of it. The companionship we had as a family getting a job done and doing it well was more wonderful than anything money can buy. I felt needed, appreciated, and a vital member to a functioning hardworking family. And at the end of a long hard Saturday of work we got to get cleaned up and eat a good home cooked meal or get treated to a dinner out. When I was old enough I could go out with friends in the car that I paid for myself with my own money and then on Sunday we attended church together.

See, I wasn't given everything on a silver platter. I was blessed with parents who I knew could and would give me nice things but at the same time knew that I had to work and work hard to earn my own way and when I was ready, I was given the freedom to make my own choices.

I didn't have a perfect childhood but I didn't know that. I just knew that I was needed, loved, cherished, and I was a part of my parents everyday lives. Life was not about partying, vacationing, or spending more than we had just for a cheap thrill like a cruise or something frivolous. Even our vacations were modest and oh so lovely for that reason.

You know what I remember most about vacations, the normal every day type parts of the trip. Dinners together with loved ones, and my mother holding and comforting me when I got sick during a trip, the car rides, or moments spend in the hotel room just getting ready to go somewhere, the conversations. Kids don't need fancy clothing, fancy trips, or expensive things to make them feel loved and needed. They need parents who are willing to have them around all the time, for every day things and for fun, for work and play, good day or bad the kids are there and they are a part of the family no matter how young they matter and they need to know it. They need to know it through and through, not just an hour a day, or two hours but every single hour of the day your kids are a part of you and a part of your life and they need to be there side by side with you as you work or play and they will watch you, oh will they watch you, and you will be their guiding light as to how to act, think, talk, walk, work and most importantly; worship.

So, what will you do with your kids today? What will you put first? What will I put first....I will put God first and my kids will be right there with me as I do it.

Dad's you are so important too, I know it is easy for Dad's to sometimes leave it to mom. The kids seem to always want mommy anyway right? But, that doesn't matter. They want daddy, they just don't always think they can ask for him. He is different, he is almost regal as he is the man and he isn't the naturally appointed, on call, nurturer.

Daddy, he seems a bit more out of reach at times to a young child. He has to make himself available in a big way. I think some of my fondest, most cherished memories are the ones of my dad. He didn't have to but, he stayed up late with me quite often telling me stories and comforting me when I was scared. To a young little girl a man like DADDY seems big and strong and able to protect her against anything in the world. And to the little boys Daddy is who he wants to be when he grows up, what will these little boys think it means to be a man? They will learn it from their Daddy. And even little men in training need to feel safe and protected by their dad.

But, only if he is willing, he has to be willing and make himself available even when she or he doesn't seem to need him, Dad's are precious and just as important to the life of the home as the mommies.