Childhood Perspective

My parents recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. You read that right. 50 years! That’s incredible to me on about twenty levels. 

One level was the angle it offered me on my past – to see it through my parents’ eyes. 

We don’t always get this perspective. For the most part, my growing up was tables at eye level and Legos on the ground, food I ate because it was placed before me, a bed I slept in because it was in the room designated as mine. I didn’t question these things. I experienced them. It was what I knew of life. 

It is the life we all remember. 

But having the unenviable task of putting together a slideshow for the party, I noticed something. Do you see it?

How about here?

Or here?

Do you see it yet? My parents. They’re not looking at the camera. They’re looking…at me. They are treasuring me. 

I was treasured. I grew up knowing that I think. Knowing it without knowing it if you know what I mean. I never thought about the consequences, the implications. I never thought about how much that mattered. That I was treasured…loved…that I was the apple of their eye. 

But thinking about it now I can’t tell you how much of a gift that was. 

I wonder, could they have given me anything better?

I don’t think so.  

Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad. 

Congratulations on your accomplishment. I know it hasn’t been easy – which makes it all the sweeter.