Daddy's Desk - Nov, 2008 "Thanksgiving"

We know the end is near. This magical world of “Pre-School” can’t last forever. As much as we would like to press some sort of “Pause” button and freeze Christopher at this wonderful age of 4, we know he will soon be venturing into another phase of his life. We’ve reached an incredible comfort level with Christopher as a 4 year old. Laurie and I have had debates on the subject of “favorite age for kids”, and we could definitely make a strong case for 4. Gone are the uncontrollable tyrannical outbursts of the 2’s and 3’s. Oh, he still gets upset at times, but there’s a certain degree of rationality to his temper now. He understands the difference between acceptable behavior and questionable behavior. Yet he’s still only 4, which means he still has that unlimited capacity for joy and excitement. He still has all that boundless energy and enthusiasm working for him. When I come home from work each night, he still comes running to the door yelling, “DADDY’S HOME!!!”

But Christopher, in his infinite wisdom, is starting to foreshadow that which is coming. He’s been watching his two older brothers, studying their lifestyles, and I think he’s ready to join them. For instance, he’s seen his brothers hop on a school bus all of his life, and now he’s quick to remind us that that will be him next year. He can’t wait to strap on a backpack and step on a school bus for the first time. He can’t wait to eat in the school cafeteria, if you can believe that! He can’t wait to play sports and do homework. He’s even starting to take part in their daily scuffles around the house, dishing it out as if he realizes it’s his Right of Passage.

We tend to measure life in 4-year segments. We elect presidents for 4 years, we go to college for 4 years, we renew our driver’s license every 4 years. It seems like a convenient number to measure progress.

On the first day of school this year, I dropped Christopher off and met his teachers. I was mildly amused by the usual chaotic scene of crying kids and crying moms. The staff handed out Kleenexes and Hershey Kisses as consolation. I laughed it off. Then I got in my car, glanced in my rear view mirror as I backed out, and caught a glimpse of Christopher’s now-empty car seat…and it hit me. My rear view mirror was no longer showing me what was behind my car, it was showing me 4 years worth of wonderful memories. It was showing me the amazingly relentless forward progress of these little kids, and the small, tiny window we have to enjoy them. My rear view mirror was showing me the cold, hard truth about parenting. If the front windshield represents the vast, unlimited future, the tiny rear view mirror represents our scant memories. Now where’d I put those Kleenexes?
This Thanksgiving finds me thankful for these past 4 years of wonder and awe. These pre-schoolers are truly a Blessing beyond compare!