Horse heads and so much more

It's tough to relate to kids because it's hard to remember what you did when you were six, let alone how you felt inside. But I try. Last night, Rachel was treated to a very fun visit from Mateo and Mary. She was absolutely thrilled to see them and had a great time playing with them.

(Sidenote: Mary (not Mateo suprisingly enough) came up with the idea of putting Rachel's hobby horse under the blanket on the bed and then allowing an unsuspecting person to lift the blanket and scream a la The Godfather. I imagine in about fifteen years Rachel will see that movie and suddenly understand the reference to this soon-to-be-favorite childhood game. And then, of course, she will finally realize how crazy her parents and our friends really are.)



Anyway, the problem came after they left. Rachel was just devastated because she knows they live far away and she won't see them again for a long time. Now as an adult I have the emotional fortitude to deal with not seeing friends for a long time, but Rachel is just a little kid and this was the absolute-worst-thing-in-the-entire-world and lead to racking sobs for a half hour. Sharon came up with the excellent idea of writing M & M a letter to which Rachel said, "And can I send them a picture?" So in the end, things are going to be okay. And we all agreed that it was far better to have M & M visit for a little while than not at all.

As a parent, of course, you don't want your kids to be upset, to cry, to feel sad. Intellectually, you know it's a part of growing up. Understanding and accepting that life doesn't always work exactly the way you want it to is an important lesson. But it still tears you up to see your child so upset.

I suppose this is just a long way of saying, it's hard being a dad.

However, it's also more than worth it. For instance, this morning I came upstairs to discover my girls snuggling together on the couch. Big sister Rachel had her arm around her little sister as they watched a cartoon together. It was a moment that I wish I could have frozen forever.

And that's why it's great being a dad.