Take time for your Cinderella

Where are our priorities? 

The daily demands and the general stress of life can be overwhelming and quickly take over your priorities.  You may not even notice as work and life take the place of your familial responsibilities.  The responsibilities of not just being a father, but a dad.  Those who do notice the shift are the ones who deserve our time even more so than the busy schedule we have or the life demands that pressure us.   The time with our children when they’re learning about life from us is very precious and we can’t get it back.  Fortunately, it’s never too late to pause to make memories.  I’m reminded of the song, “Cinderella,” by Steven Curtis Chapman.

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I’m sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders
It’s been a long day
And there’s still work to do
She’s pulling at me saying, “Dad, I need you…

Memories are more important

Our children don’t understand the weight of our parental responsibilities.  We need to realize their world is simple.  All they care about is spending time with dad and the memories we make will last a lifetime.  Our workload will still be there, but the time to be a dad is irreplaceable.  My oldest daughter is 17, I remember when she was younger and I worked seemingly ceaselessly.  My work demanded that I travel a lot.  At the time, I thought working hard to provide my family with the things I didn’t have growing up, a better home, a better life, was more important than being home.  I realize now that the job I cared about so much, is gone, those things I bought, are gone.  What remains is my little girl who is nearly all grown up.

Make time before the time is gone

It’s never too late though.  I will enjoy this time with her still home before she goes out into the world on her own.  I try to spend more time with my younger children also.  I better understand my children’s needs and what is most important to them.  It is me, being present and enjoying those moments while I can, before I blink and they too are all grown up.

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
‘Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don’t wanna miss even one song
‘Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she’ll be gone…

 Take time to spend with your children and reflect on the simple moments that mean so much more than anything else that life demands from us.

 Respectfully,
Jason Howard
Case Manager, Sheltering Wings
A Man in Action