Friday, January 25, 2013

Remembering Our Son and His Life - Joshua Davis

It has been about nine months since our son, Josh, passed away (www.joshuascottdavis.org), and there are many things we have learned about him and ourselves over that time. We have always been grateful for the wonderful life he shared with us and others, but if there is one thing I have learned (and continue to learn) is how small acts of kindness can really provide a healing balm days, months, and years after a difficult event occurs.

In other words, I have appreciated most have been the small cards, letters, and even heartfelt words from friends, family, and even complete strangers that have expressed how Joshua had an impact on their lives. Even something months and years later can provide great comfort.

I have also discovered that you often don't see the collateral or rippling effect of a person's life in real time. Rather, you sometimes discover that small acts of kindness and generosity of a person may have been the small rudder to have lifted somewhat up in their own difficult times of grief, sadness, and loneliness.

This perhaps is a selfish desire or yearning to know what Josh meant to others, but I hope that knowing such feelings, events, and his example can help me become a better father and friend to others. And for that, I thank him for being my son.

Randall


Saturday, January 5, 2013

New Year's Resolutions

As parents, we sometimes beat ourselves up for perhaps what we could have done better in raising our kids. We sometimes blame ourselves for all of their challenges and problems. Of course, we need to take ownership over what we can control, but children tend to make many independent decisions on their own. As we enter this new year, perhaps we can be more forgiving of ourselves, and at the same time, try to make small meaningful goals that can help us become better people. I've created a video on this topic here:

http://www.esl-lab.com/seasons/newyear-video.htm