Growing Trees and Raising Children

 From time to time, I have written about forming good life habits, be they related to learning or positive behaviors in our daily lives.

Discipline and care are really necessary to learn good habits. In our garden, my wife has apple trees, and you have to shape and prune (cut) the branches carefully so you can enjoy a great harvest. If you don't do this when the tree is young, it will become unmanageable. The same goes with learning. If you don't form good habits early, you won't see the rewards of hard work.

All too often, people procrastinate and don't train their minds and bodies. The same could be said of any aspect of life. But like a tree, it is almost impossible to move or bend the trunk of a tree after a few years unless you pull it out. Forming good habits early in life can help point you in the right direction toward future goals.

Yes, it is much easier to cast a few seeds in the ground and watch what happens, and caring for a garden takes constant care, but the long-term results of such work are very rewarding. 

 

Remembering Joshua Scott Davis

One of the greatest blessings in life is having family, enjoying their company, teaching them them the pleasures of life, and helping them through the trials of our existence. Three months ago, our son, Joshua, passed away, and while we feel grief and sorrow, we also feel great comfort and joy know that he had such an impact on all those around him and that his life continues on. Feel free to visit the Web site we created in his honor and learn more about him.

http://joshuascottdavis.org

Randall Davis
Father

Dealing with Grief

At some point in our lives, we will all face some time of sadness and grief due to sickness, broken relationships, or death. In fact, death is one part of our human existence from which none of us can escape. However, how we respond to it can have a significant impact on how we respond to other problems as well. For me personally, I realize that life isn't always fair, nor is it meant to be. We all must face great disappointments along the way, but if we allow, they can help forge, strengthen, and mold our character as new challenges come along. Furthermore, such trials can help us become more compassionate towards others.

I would much rather be able to choose my problems, but when I can't, I try to accept the fact that such tribulations can help me build great resolve and faith to become a better person.

Randall

Celebrating Special Days

One family tradition that our children enjoy is going out to dinner for their birthdays. It is never a quick meal at McDonalds, but often a nice steak or sushi restaurant where they can enjoy a filling meal. My wife and I enjoy these experiences to bond with our children. Nothing more meaningful than to spend time together.

Relishing the moment

From time to time, I notice young parents struggling with the apparent herculean task of keeping their children from harms way or simply not making a mess of things around the house. When I considered myself as a part of that group, I thought that raising teenagers or at least adult children would be somewhat easier.

Well, as things have turned out, life is always a mixed bag of events, challenges, and new life lessons, but you have to be prepared to embrace the good and the somewhat uncomfortable as it comes along. Last night as I was preparing to go out for a late-night job, one of my older children invited me to go for a walk around 10:00 p.m. And while we might feel somewhat inclined to go, I thought it would be a nice way to wind down and just talk about anything, from zombies and school work to Shakespeare and the evening meal.

I really relish these moments because I don't know when, if ever, they might come around again.