Wax On, Wax Off
It’s Saturday and I took my son to his karate lesson in the early afternoon. Usually, we don’t go on Saturdays but a busy week kept us from getting in his required two lessons during the week. I was sitting in the parent viewing area that overlooks the mats. There are three rows of chairs, about 12 to a row. As the previous class left and my son’s class started, I noticed something very peculiar. There were about 30 kids in the class. In the viewing seats, one other parent and myself.
When my son was a white or a yellow belt and about 6 or 7 years old the parents were all hanging out. But now, just two of us. I guess I should have been clued into what would eventually happen when the parents of the white or yellow belts talked on cell phones or relentlessly gossiped and gabbed with each other rather than watching their kids learn and perform their karate.
When the kids were younger, they put their hearts and soul into their moves. Now that they are older and more advanced in their karate, the pour more of their hearts and souls into it. The parents missed it then and they are missing it now. One day, the parents will wake up, their sons and daughters will off to collage with their black belts. I wonder if they will miss them then or will they just continue with their gab.
I feel very lucky that I observed this today. To be honest, I went to karate with my novel in tow. I’m glad I put it down and took the time to see my son grow, learn, live in the innocence of an all too short child hood.
When my son was a white or a yellow belt and about 6 or 7 years old the parents were all hanging out. But now, just two of us. I guess I should have been clued into what would eventually happen when the parents of the white or yellow belts talked on cell phones or relentlessly gossiped and gabbed with each other rather than watching their kids learn and perform their karate.
When the kids were younger, they put their hearts and soul into their moves. Now that they are older and more advanced in their karate, the pour more of their hearts and souls into it. The parents missed it then and they are missing it now. One day, the parents will wake up, their sons and daughters will off to collage with their black belts. I wonder if they will miss them then or will they just continue with their gab.
I feel very lucky that I observed this today. To be honest, I went to karate with my novel in tow. I’m glad I put it down and took the time to see my son grow, learn, live in the innocence of an all too short child hood.
posted by Mind_of_Me at 8:25 PM
6 Comments:
I had a similar thought at my daughter's brownie meeting on Friday night. Already the parents are just dropping them and leaving. They are missing out on so much fun and joy!
Not only are you lucky you observed this, your son is, too!
lucky boy, lucky dad...wonderful
Good for you. They grow up too quickly as it is.
yet to have kids, but i love the fact you like spending time with your grown son.
These small events in children's live often become the most precious of memories - for both parent and child. Two weeks ago I went with my son to a flag football tournament he played in in Washington state. It was an awesome weekend, full of fun and laughter. But the best part of it was the long (5 hour) drive home. Where I had my son all to myself, and we had the rare opportunity for uninterrupted conversation. Its a time I will forever treasure.
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