Sunday afternoon I had the boys to myself while Allie was leading our high school youth group. What to do? I decided to take them to Karakung Drive in Havertown, which is closed off from traffic on Sundays, and we walked along next to the creek. I knew there was a park with a playground just across the creek, so I kept my eye out for a bridge where we could cross. After about a half-mile or so we got to the park, but alas, no bridge in sight. What to do? The boys really wanted to play, so I looked for some rocks in the creek that were close enough for me to step across without getting wet. I had the boys hold onto the guardrail, descended the steep, rocky slope (about 10 feet) to the creek, and tested the crossing point I spotted. I came back to the boys, picked D up and carried him down the slope and across the creek. I went back for Z and did the same. The whole process took about 5 minutes and then then the boys bolted off to play on the swings, jungle gym, and spinner.
While I was pushing the spinner for the boys, a girl hopped on with them. D started up a conversation with her and asked her where her dad was. She told him that he was over on the court playing basketball, which I think impressed D a little bit. He responded, "My dad is awesome! He carried me across the creek!" Well, my love tank in that single moment filled up to overflowing. I was ready to conquer the world! I confess that I sometimes have doubts about how good a father I am. Too often I run out of patience and lose my temper, too often I do not give my boys the time and attention they deserve. But at least on this Sunday I got it right, and I am going to savor and treasure this moment as long as I can.
We continued playing at the park for a little bit, but it was past dinner time and I needed to get the boys some food. The departure from the park did not go as swiftly as the arrival, and it was very apparent that Z in particular was out of gas. I not only had to carry him across the creek, but most of the half-mile back to the car. We ate some greasy burgers and fries at Elevation Burger in Wynnewood (Allie doesn't eat beef, so I take every opportunity to do so when we are not eating with her). Though I know fast food is not a healthy choice for my children (and we don't do it very often), I have found they go to sleep much quicker after having some chicken nuggets or a burger, so it was a selfish decision all around for me. (Sidebar: Elevation Burger almost makes you feel like you're eating a healthy dinner and saving the planet: "100% USDA-certified organic, 100% grass-fed, 100% free-range, 100% ground-on-premises beef...fresh-cut fries cooked in 100% heart-healthy a olive oil." So as far as fast food goes, I was doing my kids and the world a favor, right?)
I was sure that between the hike, the playground, and the grease that the boys would crash when we got home. But to my surprise, they recovered their energy - which made for a lively bedtime routine. But in the end they fell asleep much faster than normal. I, on the other hand, have been on an emotional high since Sunday. I will be treasuring my son's comment in my heart for years to come, and I hope to think back on this experience in the days when he is less than enamored with me. It meant so much to me that I felt compelled to resurrect this blog after 5 years of neglect. Will it be another 5 years before I blog again? Maybe. But I hope and pray that even in another 5 years D's words will have the same revitalizing power that they do today.
