“Hey sweetie, take a look out the door.”
“What?”
“Do you see how the sun has gone behind the trees and there isn’t much light left in the sky?”
“Yes”
“Look up. What do you see?”
“What are those?”
“Those are bats. Don’t they look great flying around up there! Cool isn’t it?”
“Why are they up there now?”
“Well, most bats are nocturnal and these live in Don’s big barn across the street. They come out at night and it just so happens that the bugs they eat are flying around right now too.”
“What does nocturnal mean?”
I love this stage. The stage when they are asking questions because they genuinely want to know the answers. I’m not entirely sure how long the soon to be four year old has been asking these questions but it has been for some time. These changes are so gradual that they usually go unnoticed.
This evening I ordered my sons senior pictures. He is graduating in May. It was a mildly surreal moment. He and I have shared a lot of big things over the years but we have missed so many of the little things. Little things like bats in the early evening sky.
We have caught the occasional firefly though and watched as its glow filled the belly of a mason jar. This will have to do.
Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted.
- Garrison Keillor
I guess thats a good reminder not to take any moment for granted. In the middle of a stressful time it is hard to remember that but life goes so fast. I’m sure you will have many more years to enjoy with him.
@orlund -
That is how I’m looking at it. Thanks Orlund.
that was a lovely lovely post. Thank you.
amys last blog post..Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
Just today I was looking at some old photographs of my wife as a child, and I was wondering at what point do we stop laughing like that, stop being that truthful, stop being that truly inquisitive?
I think peter pan had the right idea.
Nice entry.
Xbox4NappyRashs last blog post..Satan and the snowman
@Xbox4NappyRash -
I wish I knew, or maybe I don’t. I agree, Peter Pan was definitely onto something..
I am chomping at the bit for this stage! I know, I know, she has to begin to talk first, THEN I get the good questions. (And yes, I know, that’s well after the “why” stage has come and gone.) Wow, I really like being a dad – all of the anticipation just never goes away. I have loved every stage while at the same time look forward to the next ones with hope about how cool it will be!
RobMonroes last blog post..A Cause Worth Supporting
@RobMonroe -
Rob -Man, I am digging your excitement! It really is the best and you clearly have some solid anticipation on your side. It will be here before you know it!
Wonderful post Chuck.. and I truly loved Xbox’s comment along with it.. he said it perfectly..
Kims last blog post..Fight The Sag Update..The Good, The Bad and The UGLY
@Kim -
Thanks Kim. Yes, Xbox does have a way with words doesn’t he?
That is priceless. At this point, they are embarking on a brand new type of journey, and you have the joy and privilege of being their guide. This is definitely a time to be savored.
Odd bit of synchronicity: I was just dreaming about bats last night for some reason.
toms last blog post..And it’s Mobile
@tom -
and savor I shall.
… agreed. Odd bit o’synchronicity …
I love those precious moments, by the way very nice picture of the girls.
wblmoms last blog post..Quick Post To Some Up
@wblmom -
The important thing for me is to keep my eyes and ears open for them. Thanks for the comment on the picture. Getting one of them not moving these days is the hard part
What a wonderful post. So sweet and well written I can’t believe my children are 14 and 23. It seems like yesterday, they were asking me about the bats. (:
My daughter is about the same age, and I know exactly what you mean. In addition to the enjoyment I get from actually carrying on a meaningful conversation with her, I also then enjoy hearing her use words like “nocturnal”, seemingly out of nowhere, two or three weeks later. They truly do pay attention when you explain something, don’t they?
@matt -
Hi Matt, that really is the best when they start using it after you long forgot about it. Very cool.
I loved the Keillor quote… so true. Kids’ minds are like sponges and they absorbed everything. Enjoy these times with your daughter and the little moments you get with your son too. It means a lot to both of them. (I ordered my son’s high school class ring last week… where did the time go?)
Tara R.s last blog post..To sleep, perchance to dream
@Tara R. -
I’ve no idea where the time went. If you get clued in let me know will ya, unless it’s bad. If it’s bad news I don’t wanna know.