Sometimes boys get a bad rap. All the little girls get
showered with praise full of the compliments on their girly looks, the clothes,
gifts of doll babies. Left out of all
these stereo type cultures we live in are the little boys in the world with
their trucks and blue jeans. I will never forget reading Cinderella Ate my
Daughter by Peggy Orenstein who was bound and determined when she had a girl,
she would fall not fall into that trap. Lo and behold, she did.
Having grandchildren it is different. Each and every child
is so special, there is no chance of being smitten by the girls are sweeter and
pink is more fun to shop for, at least in my mind. I have gotten past that as I
have aged because each little individual brings their own uniqueness to the
world and to my life; I love them all beyond words.
Recently, on a trip to my son’s house, my husband and I took
two of our grandsons to the park for an afternoon. It was a beautiful day, and
as I watched them play, I noticed how much they had grown. It was one of those epiphany
moments where you sit back, as a grandmother, and have pride in that your
little ones are beginning to be more independent. Yet, as they adventured
about, we had to follow them steadfast because they wanted us right behind them
to share in each and every adventure! So refreshing to know, even with independence,
we fill a spot in their hearts even as they grow up. I hope, long after we are
gone, they remember afternoons like this, memories at the park.
I told my husband I wanted to attempt to capture that
afternoon, somewhat, in pictures. One can truly never really get the feeling in
a digital image, not the emotion but I was going to try. Truly the boys are beautiful. Jake and Ty look quite alike in many ways and
yet, personality wise, could not be more different! Attached is a video if you
care to watch it, done to John Lennon’s song Beautiful Boy. He wrote it for his
own son whom he was never fortune enough to see grow up.
May you find those moments in your life when you can sit
outside or venture to a park and watch children play. There is such beauty in
all young people’s faces and passion for discovery. I am forever grateful for
the moments I too can sit and observe the beautiful boys in my life.
