Holding hands with your children...
Submitted by: Kenda

My girls and I are home now from our Grand adventure and it was a great one! 

All the time I spent apart from them has opened my eyes to the wonders that they were able to see everyday.  It gave me time to look at life differently....to look at my surroundings as a child would. 

Everything new and amazing and colorful and God given.  Having the ability to never question why we are here and who gave us life and to see the world in all its wonder every day....through a childs eyes. 

As adults we tend to lose that gift. We worry too much about things that we feel are important, and that may truly be some times, but it is important to think about the simpler things also. I feel that I have found it once more and I am never giving it up!

Now that we are at home, we relax and they sit in my lap and we talk and talk and talk.  They excitedly tell me of the things that they saw and activities that they participated in and I tell them of all the wonders that I saw.  They find every excuse to sit in my lap, or snuggle close to me, or to sleep in my bed with me.

Or even ....to just hold my hand.  All these little things mean the most to me. 

They probably won't realize this until they they reach their 30's, but I hold their hands now.  Being apart for so long has left us needing and wanting to bond closer to each other and it is great.  We all have had the opportunity to see so many different things than the other has and be able to share our adventures with each other!

I have my children that can't get enough of me and it feels wonderful. 

I have taken them swimming and my oldest and I have been swimming under the water together.  She has really discovered the thrill and excitement of swimming under the water and having me further down in the water..below her...facing the surface..watching her...waving at her and she gives me a thumbs up! That can never be take away from us. 

My youngest and I have beauty parlor time..fixing our hair..painting our fingernails and fashion shows to finish our time together.

I encourage all parents to take time to remember that our children look at life for what it simply is.  They don't second guess themselves.  They don't examine their surroundings and try to change it.  They don't ask God why.  Children live as though each day is their only one and they absorb every color and every moment. 

Yes...they are curious and that is also their nature.  That is how they learn by watching and by example.  So we as adults should strive to never lose our curiosity and our adventure and joy of life.

So my advice is not to take time away from your kids...I wouldn't recommend extended time away unless you truly have too...but try to sit on the floor with them more, try to run in the yard with them more, try to color in coloring books with them more.Try to read stories with them more and play dress up with them more or simply do what ever it is that they really love to do....Just make sure to give the effort to do what they like to do....

Remember what it is like to be a child and see life for what it is.  Let life lead you with all the simplicity and charm that is there...children see it...and we should too...stop trying to control it all and just move with the ebbs and flow of life and you will smile more.

You will play more. You will dance more and love more than you ever thought possible.  Just don't forget to continue being a child and hold hands as often as you can.