yesterday, while the boys played in the sandbox, i had an extremely poignant parenting moment. it was an insignificant thing, really...but the implications far-reaching. nash was digging with a yellow shovel -- the little cheap ones that come free with a pail -- when it unexpectedly broke in two. he looked down at the two pieces in his hands and got a very determined look on his face. i immediately knew what he intended to do and it literally broke my heart. sure enough, he spent a little time maneuvering to the edge of the sandbox, backed his way down to the chips, pushed himself up to standing and toddled directly over to me. once at his destination, he held the two pieces out and looked at me expectantly. in that moment, it occurred to me what it is to be a parent. it is a series of moments like these. moments when you watch your child fail, fall, lose, choose poorly, get hurt or err and you know you cannot (and/or should not) fix it. all you can do is be there. support them. maybe share some unheeded wisdom. and wipe the tears away. like i said, it broke my heart. but at the same time, it was soothing. it felt right.
i walked nash back to the sandbox and showed him how to use the little shovel without its handle and we went on about our day.
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