Clouds
By Brian Jacob Rogers

Greetings all, I call this article clouds for a very simple reason. I sat watching tv and realized just how beautiful the day was. So I turned off the tv, the girls weren't too happy, and we went outside. We just started by playing frisbee, but then we noticed the clouds. Have you ever just noticed a cloud? There are numerous possibilities when you look at a cloud. It may look like a bunny, a robot, or even a sheep. It all depends on what you see and how optimistic you are.

Later, as we sat playing on the computer, the girls started talking about what they want to be when they grow up. One wants to be a astronaut and the other a doctor. My first thought was, as long as they are happy. I didn't really think that either of those dreams are a possibility. When I asked why they thought that those were gonna be their careers, they replied very simply 'Its like the clouds dad, its just a matter of how you look at it'. It took me awhile to understand what they were saying, sometimes our children are smarter than us. I finally, at the risk of looking stupid, had to ask them to explain. The explanation was that, even though clouds are already there, you have to look to see the shapes within. Talk about leaving me feeling stupid, my little girls were sitting there and giving me a lesson in life!!

As I sat there watching the girls use the computer a few things dawned on me. In order for the girls to accomplish their goals, I need to encourage them, give them praise when they succeed, lift them when they fail and most importantly, love them always. These aren't new thoughts, but they have been driven home by an 11 year old and a 9 year old. The more time I spend talking to my girls, the more I learn. I can honestly say that since the girls were born, I have become smarter. Not because of anything I did or do, but because everyday, they teach me something new. It may be something as simple as looking at clouds with the eyes of children or just taking the time to play.

I guess if you get anything from this, then it should be, encourage our children to accomplish their goals. They will fail from time to time on things we think they should succeed at, but, we need to remember, they are different from each of us. They are unique beings all to themselves. Instead of finding faults with our children we need to treat them like clouds. Take a second and look at them, and see all the possibilities that exist within them. Like a fine craftsman, we must take the time to bring out the best. Its up to us.

Well, if you somehow made it to the end, congrats. Remember, as the sun goes down, take a few minutes and let your children know how important they are to you. Oh, one more thing, don't forget that not only do children need to play, but so do adults. Enjoy the clouds.

 Brian - proud dad to Hope and Courtney