SMALL BOYS CAST LONG SHADOWS

My daughter sent me this gorgeous photograph of her 2 year-old-son and his little friend walking along the sidewalk together, holding hands in the sunshine. As I looked at it, many thoughts ran through my mind as to what this scene suggested. Here are some of them.

a) It is always comforting to walk through life closely linked to a trusted friend. What makes a trusted
    friend? Someone who loves us warts and all! Someone who will always think the best of us and
    want the best for us.  To be a trusted friend, we need to be that person to them.

    We need to help our children find friends who have a positive influence on their lives. We also
    need to make sure that our children learn how to be good friends.

b) There are so many happy memories to share as friends … all those ‘remember when’ stories around
     a shared BBQ in the back yard.

     It is important that we create happy memories for ourselves and our kids. It may take a little effort
     to go camping, exploring, hiking or being silly on the beach. Believe me, those are the times our
     kids remember most and it doesn't have to cost a lot.

c) One of the little boys in the picture is looking back and the other is looking forward. How great it is
    to walk confidently through life, looking excitedly forward to the future! Are we cultivating
    enthusiasm and hope in our children?

    Do WE feel positive about the future? Sure, the economy is tending to rattle our cages at the
    present time, but pessimism doesn’t help create a positive atmosphere at home. Sometimes, as
    parents, we need to check the home temperature just to see how the ‘happy barometer’ is faring.
    Stress leads to tension and fear, and with those feelings it is difficult to be positive.

    So, what do we do about it? How about thinking what we have rather than what we don’t have.
    A sense of joy does not require money or material things, but being thankful for what we do have.
    That is each other, along with good friends. 

d) The other little boy in the picture is looking back at the shadows they are casting on the sidewalk.

    We can ALL leave long shadows behind us. How about shadows of the things that helped us to be
    successful? Definitely, being a great role model to our kids. Totally, making a determined and
    positive difference to those around us and, most of all leaving a spiritual heritage that lasts for
    generations.

Written by Sally Burgess