Our family recently moved to Orlando, Florida after five years in France. For my wife and I it feels like coming home, and we are still enjoying all the things that we missed while away. But for our kids ages 11, 8, 7, 6 and 2, they are leaving their “home.” This was dramatically brought to our attention the other day as our daughter, age 8, was commenting that when she grows up she wants to live in Europe so that she can drive to her “home town” of Villabé, France.
As we asked a few questions, she began to tear up at all the things she was missing, especially her friends. Her brothers ages 7 and 6 echoed her sentiments. It’s one of those moments as a dad when you just aren’t sure how to best respond. So in my feeble attempts to identify with their loss and then lift their spirits, I talked a little about a move I had made when I was a child and how I have fond memories of the home where we lived, etc . . . and I suggested that France will always have a special place in their memories. “And besides isn’t it great that we live in Orlando, where we have Disney parks and Seaworld? We didn’t have all that in France!” I said. My 7 year son old pipes up, chocking back tears, with incredulity in his voice, “are you trying to say that parks are more important than friends!?”
BUSTED!! What could I say? I was put in my place.
We are thankful for our friends, and we all miss them!
Love it! You could shorten this, add a faith lesson and submit it as an “Insight” article to Worldwide Challenge.
Great story, Jim. Isn’t it terrible when the little ones speak the truth against you?!
Hunter, I think that’s why God gives us little ones.