Anakku Masuk SD…

Rasanya seperti baru kemarin ya? Kemarin dia lahir, kemarin dia belajar jalan, kemarin dia belajar ngomong, kemarin dia masuk TK, dan ribuan “kemarin dia…” yang lainnya.

I can imagine other older parents saying the same thing and feeling this way.

My observation is that time really flies with regards to seeing our kids grow. So bearing that in mind, I don’t want to regret one day that I didn’t spend enough time to take care of of them.

I remembered a few months ago, hearing a surprising advice from an unexpected guest – one bule from Canada (office colleague, visiting us). “Spend time with your kids. I’ve learned my lessons. One day they will leave you.”

Parenting definitely is for brave people. (And for the committed).

Just a small reminder.

Growing Pains: there’s a first time for everything

I realized that for my kids, there are a lot of  “first timer” moments for them! First merry-go-round ride, first roller coaster ride (well, not yet…), first Pringles chips, first vaccine shot, first airplane flight, even as simple as first bite of new food (rawon, for example?) or the first time being able to put on shoes on their own…

The amazing thing is to always see the twinkle in their eyes, the look of being puzzled, curiosity, and eagerness, all combined. As if that moment was so special for them – ordinary it might be for many of us, but so special for them.

The idealist in me thinks that if we can approach life as they see it, we could have a wonderful life. Being able to see things from fresh view, enthusiastic, without prejudice. And if we can approach our relationship with God as children does, that’s also will be very rewarding.

This also helps me understand why my kids are soooo enthusiastic about soooo many things. Things that I don’t see as interesting as they do. Need to show a genuine and sincere interest in the things they do.

And to remind us that children are so special, let me share you the story and the spirit of Capt. Budi Soehardi, a recent nominee for CNN Heroes 2009 – this post is actually already loooong due. Capt. Budi and his wife, Peggy, are managing the Roslin Orphanage in West Timor. Their compassion and dedication for kids are remarkable and touching.

Watching them grow…

… watching both my spirited kids grow is a very valuable parenting experience. They’re still less than 5 years old, so I believe we still got a lot of years to go and a lot of struggling happiness (struggle & happiness) to enjoy.

I do often think, what will they become when they are 5, 10, 15, 20, and so on… whom will they marry, what college major will they take, what business/job will they be in, which city, what school, what frieds, how will they look like (hmm… the “look” stuff is probably the one that I can predict quite accurately), how tall, how handsome/pretty, what kind of character, and so on, …

Interesting mental exercise, which keeps me happy and alive during tough times. Thinking and planning about their bright futures ahead.  But…

Too many variables to consider. Too many assumptions to make. And one false notion that my kids will always willingly follow what we planned hey, they’re human with their own ambitions and aspirations.

Thus, I came to conclusion that I don’t know anything about what their future is going to be. As much as I want to control and be prepared for it, as much as I realize it that I don’t have a guarantee at all.

(OK, not to lose hope or give up planning, we do have a number of preparations that humanly possible – insurance, savings/investment, character building, education, moral/spirituality influence, friendship, nurture, guidance, …)

However…

We acknowledge that there is a certain degree of freedom that we must give to our kids.

We do humbly believe that most of their future must be laid in God’s magnificent hand, in His perfect plan.