58. Darkness: Write a poem or journal entry inspired by what you can’t see.
https://thinkwritten.com/365-creative-writing-prompts/
I think about what my boys don’t see.
Or, more like, I wonder what they do see, but simply take for granted.
For example, the fact that their mother stays home. Or the fact that they are privileged.
The fact that their laundry gets done and put away. Their lunchboxes get filled, their dinners are made. Someone works his butt off to make money so they can enjoy a paddling pool and Disney+.
I Once Was Blind
I didn’t even think twice about any of that stuff as a kid. Any kid from a privileged background doesn’t need to.
It’s only as an adult that I understand how hard my parents worked to make things nice for us. And that I realize what hard work it actually is.
But Now I See
While acknowledging that I am extremely privileged, I can also recognize that being a parent is difficult. Marriage itself is hard work.
And so, I want my boys to see something else, and learn to also take it for granted:
Their parents take time to do things for themselves, and as a couple.
Whether it’s their father going for a run, their mother sitting down to the piano, or calling a babysitter (remember when we could do that?) to go out on a date night.
When They’re Older
None of this will register now, of course. They’re too little.
But when they’re older, I hope they’ll see the light.
They’ll look back at our family life and see each individual take time for themselves.
I hope they’ll learn that it’s not selfish to do this. By taking the time to do things we love, we’re keeping ourselves healthier and happier, and better able to do the hard work of marriage and parenting.
But man, we’re still tired.
