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My mother passed some weeks ago. And though it has been a long while since I actually lived at home and got up Christmas morning to presents and stockings there. And a while since I spent time on Christmas with her, having moved from Florida to Ohio. It still seems rather melancholy to not be able to talk to her on Christmas. To send her something. Usually some of my Pulla sweat bread.
I do miss this part even though I have not really celebrated Christmas myself in a while.
I have got to wondering what parents want for their children and what they should want.
I received the usual presents from my parents, aunts, uncles and “Santa”. Most of the toys I wanted, being easily manipulated by the advertising on TV. Some I found I really enjoyed…at least for a while. Others not so much.
My favorite present that I can remember was a big box of radio and electronics parts that I got from my grandfather. I AM more than a bit of a tech geek and have been since I can remember. I got this gift when I was 12 years old, if I remember correctly. Kept me entertained for nearly 3 weeks.
But as I stated before, I wonder what parents want for their kids. The common expectations appear to be for them to be successful in some way. Usually monetarily. Or in some instances, well educated. Sometimes famous and important or strong and competitive. To have a big house and big car and what ever else their position would afford them.
I wonder how many though want their children to be intelligent, wise, compassionate, humble, thoughtful, creative, imaginative, generous and enlightened. To become the best person they can be regardless of their otherwise stature.
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Empathizing with your loss at the holiday season. I too stopped celebrating Christmas early on, but I then found that it became an annual way to celebrate my family. I too moved from Florida to Ohio – I moved after my mother passed, but was back before my father did.
Season’s greetings friend. There’s a new world coming, and we’ve got a war to stop. Peace & Love.
Yes, I think plenty of parents want their kids to be loving, sharing, and caring. If you’ve worked on many volunteer projects, you would see that it’s so. Institutions don’t gear that way, but we can hopefully offset some of it through personal and community relationships.
We’ll have ever more opportunities to pull together soon. Merry Christmas, cmaukonen. ;o)
“I wonder how many though want their children to be intelligent, wise, compassionate, humble, thoughtful, creative, imaginative, generous and enlightened. To become the best person they can be regardless of their otherwise stature.”
This is a very thoughtful question, and the answer would depend on a multitude of factors involving the family’s economic situation primarily .
My son is college educated and unemployed through no fault of his own.
Every man needs a job and independence from his parents. I’m suffering because my son doesn’t have the independence every man needs. I sacrificed to send him through college, and this is what we both got.
I’m bitter, as well I should be. This is a catastrophe created by people in the executive office of The United States of America beginning with the Bush Administration and continuing with the Obama Administration.
I’m at war, I will surrender no more forever.
Try Nixon or maybe even LBJ.
Just saying.
Merry Christmas – must be a tough Christmas without your Mom
tweeted and recommended cmauk
Thanks Elliot. Losing her so close to Christmas makes it hard.
Thanks Suzanne.
My condolences on your loss, cmk…! *g*
cmaukonen, I too lost my momma this year, and I was just on the phone with my brothers talking a bit about this stage of our lives w/o some of the ballasts we have had all our lives.
One thing my father wanted for me was that there would be someone besides me to take care of me. I never really wanted to be taken care of, but I think he meant it in a sort of transcendental way as much as a physical way.
My momma did not want to be a burden to her children.
Mostly, I think they hope for us to be happy and fulfilled somehow.
I don’t have children, so I have never had to wonder about this.
So sorry for your loss.
My kids all know my favorite quote from the movies, delivered by Robert Duvall in “Secondhand Lions“:
I sent my son to college with this poster:
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