This past weekend, our family attended a party with the Great Falls Optimist Club at a farm in Western Loudoun County. It was a beautiful day and no one enjoyed it more than our children, or maybe those who had the opportunity to watch our children enjoy themselves. So many experiences for adventure exist in this simple setting –a zip line into a pond, a rope swing, a tree house, a swing set, or sitting under a willow and pretending that it’s branches are your hair.
As we were leaving, the hosts turned to us and said, “You have good kids. Keep raising good kids – by doing so you give them a gift and an easier life. No one wants to hire jerks.” In the days that have since gone by, that has haunted me.
Am I really raising good kids?
What did they see in my kids that made them think they are good?
How am I going to keep raising good kids?
As the youngest members of the Optimist Club, Ron and I were the only couple to have children with us. For those who know our children – they rise to the occasion for anything afforded them, including being the “entertainment.” It’s reflecting on the “entertainment,” the comments, and laughter of others that has provided a platform for my thoughts on “good kids.”
They have sincere manners – “excuse me” doesn’t sound canned, “thank you” is spoken with delighted fervor, “please” is beyond heartfelt
They love – all people, every experience, simple beauty, creation – and they do it without expectation and without realizing it
They know how to fight – by forgiving, saying sorry and moving forward
They create – with vivid imagination, outloud, and with boldness
They have BIG DREAMS – for themselves, about themselves, and for others – often placing the dreams as a part of their reality
They share – themselves, their things, and the things others have – and they do it without expectation and often without realizing it
They listen – not just to instruction, but to what others have to say – as if they know someday the words will be really useful
They laugh – big full bellied laughs – at others – but more importantly at themselves
They want to be with you – even when you aren’t doing anything – but mostly when you are doing something they haven’t done before, something they are curious about, something they may never do – and when they are with you, they want you with them!
Thank you to my Optimist friends for helping me to see my “good kids” and for encouraging me to keep going! Thank you to my kids for letting others SEE and EXPERIENCE your “goodness”!
