President's day weekend
It took me a quite some time to figure out that my children are part of my magic. My dear mentor Tony reminded me of that during one of our many breathwork session a few years back. I always look at myself through a different lens, one that belong to someone else.
I treasure this finding very deeply. Please don't get me wrong... I still nag, insist, yell, correct my children, and remind them that if we can be friends that is a great thing but my main purpose in this relationship is to guide them. I remember a conversation with my oldest son Henry many years ago. He told me "I want to be an adult like you. You are so lucky because you 'own me'." That comment completely stopped me in my tracks. It was a spontaneous response that I provided him with. One that he can understand and relate to. I told him that in this world, I am kind of like a GPS. I am trying to guide and navigate him and both of his siblings to the best of my abilities. But just like the GPS I might not be always 100% accurate. My decisions are based on the best of my abilities, not perfect or non obstructive line of wisdom. It is somewhat limited in its ability, which lead to nothing but a slight detour on our path. I think he really enjoyed this explanation. It put humility on our relationship status and I think a deeper understanding of the challenges that life brings.
So that said, as a properly functioning GPS I navigate my children into places that they would have chose to see. This is just what we do ever since they were little babies... arguing, protesting or not. This past Saturday, we borrowed a membership to the Jewish American Museum, which is located here is Philadelphia. I am very impressed by the ever expanding forefront of our local libraries. Yes, you can rent a membership to almost all of the area's museums. What a sweet deal!
As we walked to the museum, the city was buzzing with tourists and locals. Suddenly, we found ourselves by the gate leading to a cemetery that we have not encountered before. Is it funny, we have been through these various, intricate streets countless times but not here. It was Old St. Mary's cemetery. I must admit that cemeteries throughout this country and around the world are amongst our favorite places to see. There was no hesitation as I offered to go in. The aged and somewhat beaten brick and cinder path was inviting our curiosity. My husband Jeffrey immediately spotted the grave Commodore John Barry who is called 'the father of the American Navy'. Some of the gravestones were moved and shifted over the past 250+ years. Even my shy child, Henry, was trying to peak in through the cracks in hopes and with hesitation to find something exciting, maybe unusual. The kids explored the cemetery while I quietly reflected at the privilege to live in the city that was a integral part of the European settlement of the United States. And how life was different then.
We continued our way to the Jewish American Museum, which is located right next the Philadelphia Bourse. In front of it was a new XOXO statue, I assume to continue reminding us we are in the city of Brotherly Love.
The Jewish American Museum was very large, family friendly and information accessible to all ages although I had some reservations about the building itself. Eleanor found the vocal exhibits very distracting while she was trying to make sense out of its very dense content. We worked out way through two floors and ended our visit at the beginning of WW2. I thought it was wonderful we were able to divide this into two or maybe three excursions. Henry (12) and Eleanor (10) really enjoyed town hall discussion platform. They were eager to participate in the civil conversation.
We ended this exciting day with a fantastic dinner in Jeffrey and I's old stomping grounds, the Sassafras Bar. It is such a tiny, poorly light delight filled with eclectic vibe of a bohemian cafe. Sadly, their famous ostrich burgers were no longer on the menu but we managed to pick other items that were super tasty.
I treasure this finding very deeply. Please don't get me wrong... I still nag, insist, yell, correct my children, and remind them that if we can be friends that is a great thing but my main purpose in this relationship is to guide them. I remember a conversation with my oldest son Henry many years ago. He told me "I want to be an adult like you. You are so lucky because you 'own me'." That comment completely stopped me in my tracks. It was a spontaneous response that I provided him with. One that he can understand and relate to. I told him that in this world, I am kind of like a GPS. I am trying to guide and navigate him and both of his siblings to the best of my abilities. But just like the GPS I might not be always 100% accurate. My decisions are based on the best of my abilities, not perfect or non obstructive line of wisdom. It is somewhat limited in its ability, which lead to nothing but a slight detour on our path. I think he really enjoyed this explanation. It put humility on our relationship status and I think a deeper understanding of the challenges that life brings.
So that said, as a properly functioning GPS I navigate my children into places that they would have chose to see. This is just what we do ever since they were little babies... arguing, protesting or not. This past Saturday, we borrowed a membership to the Jewish American Museum, which is located here is Philadelphia. I am very impressed by the ever expanding forefront of our local libraries. Yes, you can rent a membership to almost all of the area's museums. What a sweet deal!
As we walked to the museum, the city was buzzing with tourists and locals. Suddenly, we found ourselves by the gate leading to a cemetery that we have not encountered before. Is it funny, we have been through these various, intricate streets countless times but not here. It was Old St. Mary's cemetery. I must admit that cemeteries throughout this country and around the world are amongst our favorite places to see. There was no hesitation as I offered to go in. The aged and somewhat beaten brick and cinder path was inviting our curiosity. My husband Jeffrey immediately spotted the grave Commodore John Barry who is called 'the father of the American Navy'. Some of the gravestones were moved and shifted over the past 250+ years. Even my shy child, Henry, was trying to peak in through the cracks in hopes and with hesitation to find something exciting, maybe unusual. The kids explored the cemetery while I quietly reflected at the privilege to live in the city that was a integral part of the European settlement of the United States. And how life was different then.
We continued our way to the Jewish American Museum, which is located right next the Philadelphia Bourse. In front of it was a new XOXO statue, I assume to continue reminding us we are in the city of Brotherly Love.
The Jewish American Museum was very large, family friendly and information accessible to all ages although I had some reservations about the building itself. Eleanor found the vocal exhibits very distracting while she was trying to make sense out of its very dense content. We worked out way through two floors and ended our visit at the beginning of WW2. I thought it was wonderful we were able to divide this into two or maybe three excursions. Henry (12) and Eleanor (10) really enjoyed town hall discussion platform. They were eager to participate in the civil conversation.
George and Eleanor enjoyed learning about the Jewish immigration to the Midwest and West of the USA. They found the classroom setting exhibit extra fun.
We ended this exciting day with a fantastic dinner in Jeffrey and I's old stomping grounds, the Sassafras Bar. It is such a tiny, poorly light delight filled with eclectic vibe of a bohemian cafe. Sadly, their famous ostrich burgers were no longer on the menu but we managed to pick other items that were super tasty.
 |
| My happy boys |
Comments
Post a Comment