Observing

I have been walking a few miles a day with my daughter this summer. It gives us lots of time to gossip, share great secrets, plan events, argue and observe each other.

She observed me the other day and commented that I was dragging behind a bit. She was right. It has been a miserably hot and humid summer and by the time we are closing in on our second mile I am out there mostly because it is good for me.

But I have observed her quite a few times when she has gone out of her way to say something very kind, or nice, to people we pass on the street. And I can see that they are pleased, and/or touched by this. I love that!

I love knowing my children can be such wonderfully kind and good people.

I've observed both my sons do similar things. Their manners are impeccable. They are as just as any people I know anywhere on earth and they are both very good fathers. I've seen them squat down to their children's level and calmly explain some important, but complicated concept to them.

Although I am sure they observed and learned many things from me as they grew up, I have learned and continue to learn even more from them.