I attended the 40th wedding anniversary of a good mate recently and was taken by the effort from his children in making it a memorable night. Their children organised a surprise dinner where they did the cooking for 40 guests. Absolutely delicious array of food created by their two chef sons with the assistance of their wives which was served systematically throughout the night and their daughter and her husband did the front of house which included decorations, serving, photo display and organizing the event and most importantly serving at the bar.
Their daughter also made a moving speech about her parents which showed the love the entire family have for them and how much they appreciated their efforts as parents over the years and even apologise for any anxiety they may have caused them during their growing period.
The proud parents were more than happy with the night which was evident in their speech in thanking everyone for the night and my mate described it to me later as humbling but a proud moment.
My wife and I were surrounded by their family and friends as they ate and drank happily and it was just a delight to be there and witness it all. It was just so entertaining with lots of stories about past events and happenings that created plenty of laughs.
My hope for all Boomers is that your children do something for you as outstanding as this event as we all know how demanding, costly and time consuming raising children is with varying rewards for your efforts. I have often quoted the philosopher Gilbrand when attempting to describe my methods of parenting my children and I feel quite strongly that I achieved my aim.
Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, Which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows go forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the Archer’s hand be for gladness; For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
No doubt some of you would agree with me with this philosophy but no matter what methods you used, I was taken by the genuine show of love at this anniversary event and my hope is that you all achieve such a payback for your efforts.