Page Skipper
By Ray Shay
9.23.14
I walked into our ten year old son Ryan's bedroom this past week and found him lying on the ground next to his bed. He was resting his head on the carpet as he watched a show on his laptop computer. Since he was so quiet, I knew he did not feel well.Something about your child being sick just tugs at your heart in a certain way that is hard to describe. It reminded me of what my mom would say, "Raymond if I could take your place, I would." I now understand. I promised Ryan he would soon feel better as I ran my fingers through his thick, dark hair.
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| Ryan Shay |
Then an idea popped into my head. "Hey Ryan, how about I get one of your old favorite books and I will read it to you in bed? You know, like
we used to do when you were younger." Ryan didn't even raise his head from the carpet as he said In a very clear and articulate voice, "No dad, that's weird."
I thought it would make him feel better, but In a way, I think it was more for me than him. Reading a book to our children at bedtime was always a family ritual. At this moment, I once again realized how fast he was growing up. I was just trying to put the breaks on time.
I think moms are much better at reading to their children than dads. I recall laying down with our sons after they had been fed, bathed, and were dressed in their pajamas. They would pick out a book or two and
bring it over for me to read. I would encourage books like, "To the Moon and Back" or anything short or with lots of pictures. It is not easy to admit, and I am not sure if the the statue of limitations are up, but I have a confession. I was a bonafide, "Page Skipper."
That is correct. I was a dirty scoundrel. After frequently working long hours as a San Diego Police Officer and doing all the other duties of a dad, I think I was often more tired than our children. To this day, I don't know how Theresa and so many other moms can do it. They put their children to bed and read ever single word in the book to them. How is that possible?
Sometimes our kids would catch on and yell out while holding their favorite teddy bear, "Dad you skipped a page." Actually, it was probably more than one page.
What our kids did not realize it was a terrifying race against the clock. Laying next to them in their bed I was like a tranquilized dog. One more page longer and I would be saying words that did not make any sense as I fell asleep.
More than once, I would wake up to them calling to Theresa, "Mom, Mom, dad fell asleep again." I would sometimes rally, while others nights Theresa would take have to just take over as the closer. The whole experience brings a smile to my face as I realize how fast those years flew by.
I once again realized we cannot turn the hands on the clock back. In about eight short years the front door to our home will close and there will no longer be little boys or young men to laugh with, or to run my fingers through there hair as they lay quietly by their bed.
It makes me recommit to working less, finding new ways to connect with our children. I may have been guilty of being a "page skipper" but I don't want to miss another second of time as we strive to make the most of our precious time together.
Sometimes our kids would catch on and yell out while holding their favorite teddy bear, "Dad you skipped a page." Actually, it was probably more than one page.
What our kids did not realize it was a terrifying race against the clock. Laying next to them in their bed I was like a tranquilized dog. One more page longer and I would be saying words that did not make any sense as I fell asleep.
More than once, I would wake up to them calling to Theresa, "Mom, Mom, dad fell asleep again." I would sometimes rally, while others nights Theresa would take have to just take over as the closer. The whole experience brings a smile to my face as I realize how fast those years flew by.
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| A few years back ... |
I once again realized we cannot turn the hands on the clock back. In about eight short years the front door to our home will close and there will no longer be little boys or young men to laugh with, or to run my fingers through there hair as they lay quietly by their bed.
It makes me recommit to working less, finding new ways to connect with our children. I may have been guilty of being a "page skipper" but I don't want to miss another second of time as we strive to make the most of our precious time together.
Have a great week,
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