Even if you gain the whole world you really couldn't keep it. The clothes we wear are not worth more than the body. I think everyone could agree that it is not worth it for anyone to sacrifice their life for things that perish, but to sacrifice their life for another?
Would you ever be willing to sacrifice your life for another? When I thought about this I know that there are times when I react with my gut and I would risk my life without thinking for another. But the only time I would pre-meditatively give my life for another is for my own children.
I know that my kids cause trouble and wake me up in the middle of the night, but I also know that they carry my heart with them. As years go by and my bones creak I know that the ones who will carry on the torch are the next generation. They still need me around and I need them. It would be tragic if any of us were in a life and death situation. If that situation ever did come I would save the life of my children. Even if only to let them get a glimpse of the meaning of the word sacrifice and more to give them a chance to live in this world.
I'll be honest. I ate enough gourmet food and drank enough wine and taken enough boats and airplanes and jets and cars. I've seen enough of the seas and the mountains and the stars. It's their time to live and learn. Part of myself did die when the kids were born. I am living before their eyes day by day. I'm on the daddy stage with eyes watching my every move and clinging to my words. They know if my motives are wrong or if I am becoming a hypocrite. Every time I flip out my phone they stand behind me to see what I am about to do. They remember what I say and I am accountable. Parenting is a responsibility and part of our irresponsible and selfish side dies. In its place lives a child that melts our hearts and lets the real child live in us. We begin to imagine and hope with possibilities that pure and simple can once again exist in this world. That's what I see when I look in their eyes.
I'm not sure if other parents feel the same way. For me it is pretty much a simple mater of course that part of me dies and he lives. Then a new part of me lives. This is the course of nature. Just like a seed dies. It doesn't remain a seed any longer, but a seedling and a sprout and a completely new life.
Even if he wasn't this cute, I would still lay down my life for him.
