PARENTING July 20, 2009 Issue

LUNCH ON A TINY TUGBOAT

STEPHANIE JOHNSON

It Was A Warm, sun-and-fun enriched day for our family at the water park. In the shallow water of the wave pool there was a pretend tugboat, well-anchored to the concrete below. It was just big enough for three or four little ones to climb aboard and let their imaginations play out.

When I first noticed the tiny tug, my eyes rested on a charming scene. There was a dad on it, knees up to his chest, eating lunch with his daughter as they sailed the imaginary waves. He looked as if he wouldn't want to be anywhere else. What an example of the joy that comes from unselfishly giving time to children, especially on vacation.

For many adults the word vacation conjures up visions of kicking back and getting away from everything that represents the day-to-day motion of life. Children, too, may be thrilled with the change of scene, but their interests often revolve around adventure and activity, not relaxation. It would look as if there are competing interests at vacation time. But when adults find their God-given childlike heart, like the man in that tiny tug, they find the capacity within to rest in unselfish giving. Vacation becomes a time of discovering more about each other along with having new experiences, and, in this way, each member of the family can find fulfillment.