The Big Not So Big Event

I remember when my three-year old son ran triumphantly off the soccer pitch after blocking his first goal. What made it even cooler was that there are no goalies in three-year old soccer, but he insisted on playing the position after watching the World Cup with me. It was hot outside, but he also insisted on wearing a long-sleeve shirt. I have been fortunate to be present for almost every big even in my children's lives, from the first word spoken to the first word read. Now that we are getting settled into a permanent job and a permanent location, and now that our kids are getting bigger, we look forward to many more big events. More soccer. More karate. More ballet or gymnastics. When I was interviewing two years ago with my law firm I was impressed that the partners never missed their children's games, recitals, performances, etc. (Sometimes it gets competitive, like when my son comes home from school with a reading book based on his reading evaluation and I immediately ask how the other kids did. But that's another post.) But today I was reminded of another big event that we often miss simply because we might forget it is a big event. My son arrived home from preschool excited as ever to show me a pirate eye patch he'd earned from the prize box for good work, but I was on the phone. My wife tipped me off to how excited he was to show me with a disappointed scowl and silent head nod in his direction. Taking the queue, I ended the phone conversation and asked my son about his day. Later, he sat silently drawing a pirate treasure map and looking a bit frustrated. I asked what was wrong and he let me know that he wanted to show someone how to draw a pirate treasure map. I volunteered. He took great care teaching me exactly how I could draw the lines wherever I wanted and that the "X" goes where the treasure is buried, so that I know where it is and can dig it back up. I was impressed by how well he explained it to me and how well he communicates with others in general. I am not alone in my willingness to be present at the big events described above. They are clear representations of progress and accomplishment, often marked by honors or trophies or entries in a baby book. I don't know that I am always as willing to sit down for other less tangible big events like a simple conversation, where my son accomplished something extremely important for an adult, let alone a four-year old: he taught me something.