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WCNC BLOG |
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September 2009
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« Sonja Gantt | Learning to work together |
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| Sonja Gantt | Conan O'Brien really is a nice guy »
Editor's note: Sonja Gantt blogs each week for The Charlotte Observer's mommy site, MomsCharlotte.com. There are many things that I want my children to know without a doubt. One of them is that I love them unconditionally. I'm a very expressive person so I'm often hugging them or telling them how much I care. As they've gotten older I notice I'm the one who initiates those group hugs more often than not. I figure that's natural and I know they know that I truly care. Wouldn't it be great if every child had that same deep, soul stirring love from someone? It's such a great foundation. I thought a lot about a parent's love this past weekend when I traveled with Gabrielle's synchronized ice skating team to Morristown, N.J., and again during the Super Bowl pregame show. Any mother of a girl over the age of 11 can appreciate how interesting a trip with TEN girls and their mothers can be. Gabrielle is part of a wonderful team. The girls are not just great synchronized skaters but really a neat and cool group of kids. I had a wonderful weekend with them. And it was great to see that despite our different backgrounds and interests there is one universal experience for pre-teen girls and their mothers. In different ways this weekend I watched daughters asserting their independence and refusing to admit that sometimes mom really does know best. Whew...how good to know it's not just something that happens in my house! There's really no way for children to understand how blessed they are to have moms and dads who care until they have their own children. So it doesn't matter what they say to us, or how they act...we love them anyway...forever.... I was moved by the story about Arizona Cardinal Larry Fitzgerald. Remember him? He's the wide receiver who won't soon be forgotten by most Panthers fans as we watched him catch pass after pass after pass in Bank of America Stadium during the playoffs. Before the Super Bowl he opened up about his mom, Carol, who died of breast cancer. His biggest regret was that he'd let an argument come between them and hadn't talked with her apparently for months before she died. He talked about being a stupid and selfish college student who thought he knew best and didn't appreciate that she thought differently so he cut off contact with her. Now, he regrets it but didn't make it to the hospital to tell her before she died. His father, also named Larry, explains in the story that he tells Larry not to worry. That, of course, his mother would have forgiven him and that she loved him no matter what. I know what Larry's father says is true. A parent's love is the kind children, whether they're pre-teen girls or college students, just can't fully appreciate. Thank God we keep loving through toddler temper tantrums, rebellious teenagers and arrogant college students. It's a joy, a sacrifice, not always easy but truly a blessing. And one day I hope they will all come to understand what a gift it is to have that kind of love. 3 CommentsLeave a comment |
It's about time the corporate big boys that cut the little guy out altogether to keep their big bonus and salary meet the same fate, Well not exactly. At 500,000 a year they will still never see what it's like to stand in an unemployment line with no income to buy food.
Unconditional love is so important - and it doesn't end after the children become adults. When grandchildren come along they are reflections of the love given to their parents and to them. I enjoyed my children as they grew up and when they went away to college, I missed their friends as well. Now that they have children I have been so blessed. I really enjoy my grandchildren because I can just enjoy and I don't have to discipline. However, the unconditional love comes in with grandchildren too and I expect that won't go away when they grow up either. Love makes the world go around.
Unconditional love is very precious and most children don't know how precious it is until they are grown and have children of their own. I am divorced from my daughter's mom as well as my son's for reason's that isn't important but I have shown both of that type of love despite what their mother's may do. That type of love allows the children to know you will always be there regardless what they may do. They know that you will always be there to offer advice when they ask for it. As my daughter gets ready to graduate from high school in June I hope that her mother and I have given her all the tools necessary to be successful and to make good choices. I also hope that when in doubt she won't hesitate to pick up the phone and ask for help due to unconditional love that has always been shown during her years of growning up. By the way Ms. Gnatt my ex-wife worked for your dad when he was running for the Senate and I got to meet him and we have sat by one another at church several times and I know you are doing a wonderful job as a mother. From your blog maybe you should write a book that will give inspiration to those who could benefit from your wisdom and that of others.
Stay blessed.