Had an interesting moment today that I'd like to share. I was scheduled to do two television interviews at the 'A' News studios here in London. The first hit was with CTV Montreal's Todd van der Heyden on the noon-hour news program (topic: Canada's new cell phone landscape, video here), while the second was with Business News Network's Michael Hainsworth, a year-ender interview that used my recently published Betanews column as a jumping off point.
Both interviews went well. They were fun and conversational, and as my wife told me afterward, they're good for my soul because they give me a chance to do something I do well, and something that I love. Wise, she is.
The way-too-kind folks at the station - quite honestly, the nicest people you'll ever meet - managed to juggle the schedule and get me on my way earlier than planned. So as I left the station parking lot, I looked at the clock and realized that our youngest son's class was supposed to be skating in Victoria Park in the middle of London's downtown. I probably should have turned for home and gotten back to the business of writing. I probably should have let logic lead. But I didn't. I set the GPS for the park and didn't look back.
Little man was elated when he realized his dad was walking toward him. He was lying in a snowbank beside the rink, covered in snow, smiling from ear to ear. I hugged his wiggling form before he headed back out to the ice with his classmates and teacher, and I settled in to shep naches (Yiddish, loosely translated as deriving great pleasure from) and watch them frolic. I took pictures. I smiled, probably for the first time in days.
It was a moment I'm glad I took. Because I just don't know how many more like them I'll be privileged enough to have before he decides his dad visiting him in the park on a special afternoon merits a snowy hug.
The writing will get done. Tonight. I'll lose a little sleep in the process. But I'll remember the snippet of time with my son far longer than I'll remember anything I'll end up writing before I tuck in. Treasures take many forms. We just need to stop long enough to recognize when they present themselves to us.
Your turn: Ever follow your heart instead of your head? How did it turn out?
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5 comments:
You're right. That's the kind of memory that goes straight into the permanent file.
I find myself doing that all the time. Probably too much. The housework doesn't get done; I can't remember the last time I baked something...
But I have had some wonderful times with my family, and I have to believe that matters more.
Lead with my heart? ME? Surely you jest.
Of course I have. And sometimes it's a treasure, other times a train wreck. But sitting in your car with the choice of going to work or going to see my growing-way-too-fast-son getting his game on with his schoolmates I'd have done the very same thing. At least I hope I would.
He was thrilled that HIS dad came to visit him at the park.
Lead with my heart? Always, sometimes it get I get hurt but I could be no other way.
He is any easy kid to shepp Nachus. All three are. WE are very fortunate indeed!
xoxo
i can't count the number of times i've had to stay up in the wee hours of the morning because the kids and i have chosen spontaneous adventures over housework or paperwork. i wouldn't trade those days for anything.
good choice, Carmi...he'll cherish that moment for years.
I know you know this from experience but what you did was create a memory that nothing can erase. I try at times to avoid your blog because it always challenges me and often reminds me of my Dad. Its your ability to share your life with us that brings me back sometimes I feel like I know you but I have never met you!
You do have a gift to write tho because I felt I was there too.
I for one am glad you went to the park.
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