Last week was Teacher Appreciation week at Nolin’s school. Yes. not just a day, but a whole week of appreciation. I am not sure if one week is really enough time to fully thank Nolin’s teachers. As much fun as it is to raise a 3-year-old, I can’t imagine having ten at one time…
He loves school and if I could only be a fly on the wall each day in class I think I would have unlimited stories to tell. I do think this has been one of the best decisions we could have made for him.
[editor’s note] Well, maybe I should have posted this right after I wrote it because apparently today was not his best day of school (probably due to staying up later in preparation for the departure of Pap Pap)…yeah, that is why they have a week of appreciation.
Before diner at Grammy’s house, Jenn and I were explaining the concept of Teacher Appreciation and how he should walk into class and personally thank his teachers for everything they do.
We have always worked with Nolin to say thank you, but to him it is typically something you say upon receiving something tangible. So I wasn’t holding my breath that he would actually grasp this concept of thanks.
Everyday, parenting surprises me. I guess you are never too old to learn, and although you typically think that you are the teacher to your kids, many times I also find myself the student.
Later that evening as I picked up Nolin to head back to our house, he looked at me, gave me a hug and said
Thank you for being my daddy
And just like that…BOOM it hits you. No, not that he singled me out (but I may or may not have mentally marked one point for me on the scorecard). This was probably one of the most meaningful thank you’s I have ever received, but I also realized that I wasn’t sure I have ever said the same thing?
Growing up I consciously and unconsciously worked to be my own person and therefore different then my parents. Along the way I came to understand more clearly many lessons, like long hair is not as cool as you think it is, hugging your brother & sister when you fight is the world’s greatest punishment (I can’t wait for this), and your parents know so much more than you would ever imagine (Grace and Nolin you may want to remember this one when you are teenagers).
As I get older, I realize (heaven help me) I am just like them.
So mom & dad…thank you for being my parents.
Our Modern Family 