Like father, like son

I found myself in the library bright and early (okay only 10:00am) last Saturday morning. Homework was calling my name and even though it is “home”work, I could not focus at home, so the school library would have sufficed. As I arrived, my younger brother Jeff was sitting at a table in the area where I typically go to study. I decided to join him. There is nothing cuter than two brothers studying together, right? We even took a lunch break, and ate at Taco Bell, where I enjoyed three fresco soft tacos.

When I study, I tend to take many breaks, to give my eyes a rest from all the hard concentration I have put them through. As I was walking back from one of these breaks, I noticed a middle-aged man sitting at a table with a young, blonde haired boy next to him. The man, I am assuming was this boys’ father. The father was reading a book, and his son was also reading. Walking past them, I saw the boy look up to his father, grab him around the neck, and share with his father something from his book. The father took the time away from his own reading to acknowledge the son and listen to what he had to say.

This moment brought a few thoughts to my mind. First, our Heavenly Father, who loves us so much, cares about us deeply and is concerned with whatever is going on in our lives. Like the father at the Library, our Heavenly Father is willing to acknowledge and listen to us whenever we desire. It is our responsibility to take the time to talk with him. It also reminded me of my own father. If my dad were to read this he would say something like, "I never took any time for you, why are you writing this crap?" My dad is awesome, and although nobody is perfect, there are many times my dad was there to take time and listen to me. I am not the best at communicating how I am feeling or what I am going through, but my dad is willing to listen. I remember one day back in high school where my dad took me to McDonalds just to talk and see how I was doing. It meant a lot to me, not only the food, but the thoughtfulness of my own father.

May we, whether we be fathers, mothers, sons, or daughters, take the time to listen or talk, and share how we feel with one other. May we express our concerns and sadness, along with our joys and happiness. If we do, we will experience more joy and fulfillment in these sacred relationships.