Is good character captured or taught or do I thank God for Zach this Thanksgiving?
Website design By BotEap.comActually, I believe that good character and good deeds are learned and taught. These two verbs are inseparable. Our children are watching what we do, so in essence we are teaching them without constantly explaining. We all know it, but sometimes we tend to forget. Even very young children are capable of caring, compassion, and good deeds of character. As an example, I would like to share a true story of my grandson, which was told to me by my daughter. I wrote it from her point of view:
Website design By BotEap.comHe had waited what seemed like a long time for a busy cowboy. So many things that he could be doing like
fishing with his dad or listening to Toby Keith or Alan Jackson. She might even be running through this room they called the Doctor’s “waiting room.” Seemed like a great place to practice sliding to first base…plenty of room to run. He supposed he could stay put a little longer, but it sure is hard for a cowboy. The cowboys keep moving. They have things to do. .. Website design By BotEap.comShe looked at her mother in astonishment. She was a wonder woman, all right. That pretty face framed with playful blonde curls was a wonder to him. She always knew what to say when things weren’t going
the way he thought they should. She knew how to throw birthday parties, make hot dogs, and look smiley all in the same day. He could tell him four things he could do that day if he was bored, while
he fed the dog and found his sister’s favorite t-shirt. She could do all those things at once because she’s a mom. Website design By BotEap.comHe watched her as she made him a paper airplane, her brown eyes dancing mischievously.
“Why are we here, mom? Are you sick?” “Mommy has a backache today, Zach.” “Does it hurt a lot?
“Actually, it hurts a lot today. Website design By BotEap.com“Do you think the Doctor can do better?” Website design By BotEap.com“I don’t know Zach. We’ll have to wait and see.” Website design By BotEap.com“Here, I made a plane for you. How so?” Website design By BotEap.comHer coral lips curved into a wide smile as she handed over the plane. Website design By BotEap.com“Mom, why are you taking so long?” Website design By BotEap.comHe always knew when she was going to tell him something important. She would look directly into her eyes to make sure she was listening. Then she’d start with, “Zach, I need
that you listen”. Website design By BotEap.com“This may take a while, so I need you to be good and patient. I know you’d rather be outside or do something fun with your dad, but he’s out of town on business. I need to see the doctor today because I’m in pain.”
understand?” Website design By BotEap.com“Yes mom.” She looked away and fixed her gaze on a waiting room that had no dart board or any kind of ball. Website design By BotEap.com“Zach, when I’m done with my visit to the doctor, we’ll go to the wishing well, if you’ve been good. I’ll give you a coin to throw in the wishing well and you can make a wish!” Website design By BotEap.com“Will it come true, mom?” Website design By BotEap.comHe knew that she would know. She knows how to fix bikes and assemble toys. She just knows all kinds of things because she knows. Because she is SUPERMOM! Website design By BotEap.com“I’ll be honest with you, Zach. I’m not sure, but maybe if you want it really, really hard, it just might come true.” Website design By BotEap.comHe felt all warm inside just thinking about what he could wish for. Maybe a new baseball glove or inline skates or a new Alan Jackson tape. His bike was pretty new, but maybe a bigger one… maybe red… Website design By BotEap.comHe was as good as any cowboy could be, considering the waiting room had no baseballs or popsicles or frogs of any kind. Website design By BotEap.comFinally it’s over. Mom looked a little tired as she gave her money to the girl behind the cage. She always smiled, but sometimes she was just a little smile and that’s what she was doing now. Website design By BotEap.com“You did great, Zach. We can go to the wishing well. It’s right outside the doctor’s office. Here, I’ll give you a penny to throw away.” Website design By BotEap.com“Don’t forget to make your wish!” Website design By BotEap.comMom placed the penny in her hand and patted her back. Website design By BotEap.comThe wishing well was full of coins… She supposed that maybe a lot of people had made wishes and like Mom said, maybe, just maybe if they wished a lot, their wish would come true. Website design By BotEap.comHe looked at mom. She had her hand on her back…on the small of her back…even the LITTLE smile of hers wasn’t showing. Website design By BotEap.com“Mom, does your back still hurt?” Website design By BotEap.com“Yes, Zach. I’m afraid it still hurts.” Website design By BotEap.comShe threw the penny with all her might, closed her eyes, and wished very, very much. She hoped that her wish would come true. Any cowboy would have done the same…probably Toby Keith would have done the same. Website design By BotEap.comShe looked at the shiny penny in the well and then she looked at mom…her own super mom. Hears
I hoped I wished enough. Website design By BotEap.comI am so thankful this Thanksgiving for my grandchildren. They teach me so much…………………………………………… …
fishing with his dad or listening to Toby Keith or Alan Jackson. She might even be running through this room they called the Doctor’s “waiting room.” Seemed like a great place to practice sliding to first base…plenty of room to run. He supposed he could stay put a little longer, but it sure is hard for a cowboy. The cowboys keep moving. They have things to do. .. Website design By BotEap.comShe looked at her mother in astonishment. She was a wonder woman, all right. That pretty face framed with playful blonde curls was a wonder to him. She always knew what to say when things weren’t going
the way he thought they should. She knew how to throw birthday parties, make hot dogs, and look smiley all in the same day. He could tell him four things he could do that day if he was bored, while
he fed the dog and found his sister’s favorite t-shirt. She could do all those things at once because she’s a mom. Website design By BotEap.comHe watched her as she made him a paper airplane, her brown eyes dancing mischievously.
“Why are we here, mom? Are you sick?” “Mommy has a backache today, Zach.” “Does it hurt a lot?
“Actually, it hurts a lot today. Website design By BotEap.com“Do you think the Doctor can do better?” Website design By BotEap.com“I don’t know Zach. We’ll have to wait and see.” Website design By BotEap.com“Here, I made a plane for you. How so?” Website design By BotEap.comHer coral lips curved into a wide smile as she handed over the plane. Website design By BotEap.com“Mom, why are you taking so long?” Website design By BotEap.comHe always knew when she was going to tell him something important. She would look directly into her eyes to make sure she was listening. Then she’d start with, “Zach, I need
that you listen”. Website design By BotEap.com“This may take a while, so I need you to be good and patient. I know you’d rather be outside or do something fun with your dad, but he’s out of town on business. I need to see the doctor today because I’m in pain.”
understand?” Website design By BotEap.com“Yes mom.” She looked away and fixed her gaze on a waiting room that had no dart board or any kind of ball. Website design By BotEap.com“Zach, when I’m done with my visit to the doctor, we’ll go to the wishing well, if you’ve been good. I’ll give you a coin to throw in the wishing well and you can make a wish!” Website design By BotEap.com“Will it come true, mom?” Website design By BotEap.comHe knew that she would know. She knows how to fix bikes and assemble toys. She just knows all kinds of things because she knows. Because she is SUPERMOM! Website design By BotEap.com“I’ll be honest with you, Zach. I’m not sure, but maybe if you want it really, really hard, it just might come true.” Website design By BotEap.comHe felt all warm inside just thinking about what he could wish for. Maybe a new baseball glove or inline skates or a new Alan Jackson tape. His bike was pretty new, but maybe a bigger one… maybe red… Website design By BotEap.comHe was as good as any cowboy could be, considering the waiting room had no baseballs or popsicles or frogs of any kind. Website design By BotEap.comFinally it’s over. Mom looked a little tired as she gave her money to the girl behind the cage. She always smiled, but sometimes she was just a little smile and that’s what she was doing now. Website design By BotEap.com“You did great, Zach. We can go to the wishing well. It’s right outside the doctor’s office. Here, I’ll give you a penny to throw away.” Website design By BotEap.com“Don’t forget to make your wish!” Website design By BotEap.comMom placed the penny in her hand and patted her back. Website design By BotEap.comThe wishing well was full of coins… She supposed that maybe a lot of people had made wishes and like Mom said, maybe, just maybe if they wished a lot, their wish would come true. Website design By BotEap.comHe looked at mom. She had her hand on her back…on the small of her back…even the LITTLE smile of hers wasn’t showing. Website design By BotEap.com“Mom, does your back still hurt?” Website design By BotEap.com“Yes, Zach. I’m afraid it still hurts.” Website design By BotEap.comShe threw the penny with all her might, closed her eyes, and wished very, very much. She hoped that her wish would come true. Any cowboy would have done the same…probably Toby Keith would have done the same. Website design By BotEap.comShe looked at the shiny penny in the well and then she looked at mom…her own super mom. Hears
I hoped I wished enough. Website design By BotEap.comI am so thankful this Thanksgiving for my grandchildren. They teach me so much…………………………………………… …