Waxing Nostalgic for Days Gone By

Author: Jose G. Barr

It is early in the morning, the moon barely visible as a waxing crescent in the night sky. My beautiful wife Ruby and Joseph are both still fast asleep as I make the short drive to work.  Along the way I began to think about the past and how different life was over 40 years ago.  As we get older we begin to experience selective memory loss, unconsciously remembering only the good times. I tend to only remember the past fondly, like an old friend that I have not seen in a long time.  Gone are the bad times and the bad things that may, or may not have happened.

As I waxed nostalgic I begin to think about what my little buddy will remember of his childhood.  I know that the world today is very different from the one in the 1970's when I was growing up.  Back then our parents shooed us out of the house after breakfast to go and play. During the summertime we would often ride a few blocks down the street to the local convenience store to pick up some comic books (at $.10 each) or buy an ice cream to enjoy on a warm summer afternoon.  Mind you, this was all by ourselves, no parents anywhere to be found.  Those are the days that I remember most and want the same kinds of memories for my little boy.



As I listen to the news on my drive into the office I hear about the horrible tragedy occurring worldwide and wonder what awaits my son as he grows up.  I realize that the innocence of the past is lost.  Our children are growing up in a much more violent and visible world. Tragedies are broadcast almost instantly thanks to the internet and the availability of cell phone cameras.

Of course that does not mean that I will fall into despair, on the contrary, I realize that as his father I must find a way to navigate this more complex world so that he can have his childhood, free from the fears of a modern America.  I take this responsibility seriously and work hard to be successful at it. Each and every day I make sure that he is safe to enjoy  his childhood, keeping the outside world at bay.

As the sun begins to rise I feel the sense that, regardless of the evil that occurs in the world, each and every day brings with it a whole host of good deeds and miracles.  Let us not dwell on what evil is in the world, it is better to see the world for all the good that it holds. Our children are growing up quickly and will soon be masters of their own destinies.  As fathers and mothers we do everything we can to prepare them to enter the world as adults and some day parents.  Parents that will be charged with raising their kids the best way that they can.

Until next time my friends, love your kids,

Cherish your family.