Kids...(sigh)

I love people.

I love my parents.

I love my other family members.

I love friends and my students.

I love my wife.

Each of these groups have a different type of love, some more deep than others and some in ways I cannot explain.

But my kids...(sigh)...I love them in a way that is hard to explain and even comprehend.

Sure, they can drive me crazy, but I would not hesitate to give my life for them and if something were to happen, it would not be a good thing...at all.

Why is it that we live our lives with our children like they are going to be little forever?

Like they will listen to our words forever?

Like they will respect and do what we want forever?

The bottom line is that we have a very short time to prepare them for the world.

They are born and it is probably around 3 or 4 when they begin to understand a little bit of life, and we probably have them until they are 14 or 15 if we are lucky.

So you about a decade to love your children and teach them to avoid the obstacles, pot holes, and land mines of this world.

You have about a decade to help guide them and teach them how to bounce back from the inevitable failures they will encounter either by them or the people they love.

You have about a decade to love them in a way that they will know when they face an obstacle, a pot hole or a land mine, they can return to you to have their backs.

If you do a decent job, you will have them around for longer than 0-18 years.

But never, ever take for granted hugging them, kissing them, and telling them you love them.

They may not get it or completely understand until they are older, but love them and they will love you back.