A Parent's Thoughts - Wayne A Burt

Our first two babies were born fifteen months apart, a girl and a boy respectively. Amanda had a lively mind and never wanted to go to sleep, bless her heart. Her little brother, Gabe, slept twenty hours a day, thank God. She was the creator of scenarios, he was the jock. When she was two, we discovered she was memorizing the stories we were reading to her. We would amaze family and friends by handing her a book for her to recite while she turned the pages laughed at the appropriate times. "Is she reading?" they would gasp. The books weren't War and Peace of course, but still... She became a writer, editor, and public speaker for MOPS, Mothers of Pre-Schoolers.

Her little brother, Gabe, could throw strikes when he was eighteen months. He could catch a pass over his shoulder on the run at age three. When he grew to six-foot-six, he became a star athlete pursued by top division one scouts. We lived for his Friday night basketball and volleyball games. I could write a book about the craziness of childhood sports. He is a high school teacher during the week, and on the weekends, leads a popular wedding/party band.

Our second son, Jameson, came six years after Gabe. He was easy, kind, athletic, intelligent, and had a great sense of humor, the perfect addition to our family. At age eleven he picked up a guitar and proceeded to become a singer, songwriter, and recording artist. He plays multiple instruments and is self-taught. At age fifteen, he grew from five-feet-five to six-foot-four in six months. In 2015, he married an Italian model/actress in an ancient chapel, in an ancient town, on a hill in eastern Italy. We all attended.

I'm not saying any of this to boast about my kids. I'm not the bestower of talents and gifts. I just want to point out each child is born with gifts completely unique to themselves. Each child has struggles, some are born with great challenges. Our extended family had its share of separations, early deaths, and life struggles like any other family. My wife and I are blessed with children and four grandchildren who live near, and see us often. Family life is tough sometimes, but it is worth every effort. Nothing else comes close in importance to us.

In the early years, reading together while sitting or lying close, and laughing together over a funny book formed bonds never to be broken. It's partly why I write. I want my books to be enjoyed by the entire family together. I was offered a contract for a children's picture book about a mother and daughter and visiting animals from the zoo next door. It's a funny book for a parent as well as a child. An editor of a well known publishing company told me to take the mom out of the story because it should be all about the child. I disagreed. Children's books, which are entertaining for both parents and kids, make for great bonding experiences. Willian Steig, Richard Scary, and Roald Dahl did this exquisitely.

Listening to music together can accomplish the same thing. Our kids were serenaded to sleep for years. We listened to music while traveling. They all grew up to be musical. Children are young for only a short time. Quality time doesn't make up for lost time for either the child or the parent. Sharing books and music are two great ways of forming bonds that will last for a lifetime. To write a book a family would enjoy together is a dream come true for me.

This is Olivia Faith Anderson, Sophia's little sister.When the family gets together, she's our entertainer. The book I wrote for her is called A Hole in the Zoo. Hopefully, it will be next.

Here is Sophia and Livie hanging out with roses, Cecil Brunner and Mutabilis.

At the top, Gabe's kids, Adelle and Weston are being silly as usual.

Am I blessed or what.