Skippy

Smooch!

082506.jpg

There are certain values we want to pass down to our children. Many times, the best you can do is to try to be a good example. For example, there are, and always have been, plenty of “please” and “thank you” comments bandied about in our household. And we’re teaching him kindness by being friendly to others and by showing compassion when a person is sad or hurt.

But sometimes watching your child take what you’re teaching and make it his own is just an amazing thing to behold.

Devin has this core of sweetness that displays itself in the most heart-warming moments. Simple ones at that. Like tonight, when I was reading him “Hop on Pop” and we got to the page that reads:

“SAD
DAD
BAD
HAD

Dad is sad.
Very, very sad.
He had a bad day.
What a day Dad had!”

Before I turned the page, Devin leaned in and gave a big smooch to the sad Dad.

How can I not be proud and touched by that?

Certainly he’s demonstrated his share of naughtiness (like banging little Jake’s head on the door last week…oops!). But there’s that loving nature that he has that I just adore. It gives me promise that he’ll grow into a caring individual. As long as my example doesn’t break down somewhere along the way.