So I’m sitting on the floor, playing games with my son. We’ve done video games, played outside, and now we’re on the floor playing Sorry. We’ve probably played this game 5 or 6 times before with my wife and daughter. So he’s confident and competent, having learned well from his big sister. Even enough to teach my 3 year old daughter (which he has, and it was a great joy to behold). What struck me this time, however, wasn’t the fact that he knew the mechanics of the game, but that he actually showed empathy for me while playing. At one point he drew the Sorry card, allowing him to knock one of my pieces off the game board and back to Start. At the moment he realized what card he had, he looked at me and said, in all sincerity, “Daddy, I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” His voice was filled with sadness and regret. Fighting tears, I told him I loved and appreciated him and that it was ok! It was just part of the game.
I’ve been alive for 52 years. In all that time, I’ve experienced a lot. I’ve been dealt a lot of “cards." Not all of them. Not by a long shot. I have NO idea what other “cards" are in the deck. Like the COVID-19 card. Sheesh...Didn’t know that one was in there! Have there been pandemic events in the world before? Yes. But I wasn’t "playing the game” then, either by not being alive, or not in that part of the world. Have I been sold into human slavery? No, blessedly, I have NOT been given that card. Have my rights been trampled on? Have I been judged or missed opportunities because of my skin color? Have I been oppressed because of where or how I was born? Have I experienced any horrible tragedies? No. Yet, sadly, I know some of us have. Have I been treated unfairly? Yes. Have I also made that same poor decision against another person? Sadly, yes. Have I suffered personal loss? Yes. And have I been blessed? Absolutely! I’m blessed with a wonderful family and a great group of people I’m honored to call friends. I’m blessed with a job at a great school with positive and encouraging leaders and get to teach alongside talented & loving people. I’ve had incredible mentors in my life, providing guidance and an excellent example for me to follow. Sure, there are some blessings I’ve not experienced. But overall, I’m content. So, I see there are cards in the deck I’m aware of, and others of which I’m not. Regardless of my awareness, both types of cards exist. I've certainly had a mix of them in my life. I love this pic posted by Michael J. Hynes. I saw it this morning and was grateful as it coincided with this current challenge to my circumstances. So how will I spend my energy, now that I’ve been dealt these cards?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI'm Cliff, an elementary Physical Educator to a ton of awesome students! Here is where you will see my thoughts and ides regarding #physed. Archives
April 2020
Categories
|