Saturday, June 21, 2008
Fatherhood and the Mall
The only thing missing is a big screen showing ESPN, but give it time. I'm sure someone will put it in.
In the attached, out of focus photo, (a rare bad shot using the blackberry camera) you can see the girls playing, and in the background you see a Starbucks. I'm 50 feet away from making this situation even more enjoyable.
It's amazing how different this place is, and our country is, compared to the malls I went to in Doha City Qatar or Amman Jordan, or the indoor markets of Baghdad I saw thriving with parents and children shown on the local Iraqi TV station when I was over there. Cultures are so different, but the children are all the same. They smile for the same reasons, play similar games, and manage to enjoy life seamingly worry-free unlike their parents standing nearby.
Random thoughts I guess. I just hope my children get to see all the unique and positive things different people do all around the world. I want them to know just how unique and special this country is, and how lucky they are to live here.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
posted by El Capitan at 6:33 PM
3 Comments:
said...
We have so very much to be thankful for and take so much for granted. What might seem like little things to us must loom large for other people and other countries.
(whisper) I'd much rather be sitting on a bench sippin' coffee than stirring around in the stores... You got the fun part today.
Southern (in)Sanity said...
I have learned to love those indoor playgrounds now that my nephew and I hang out from time to time.
A big screen showing ESPN would make it just about perfect.
I'm sure your kids will have a strong appreciation for things here. I hope that any travels abroad are able to be made in peaceful situations.
Citizen Deux said...
Spot on - the worry free smiles of children. Whenever we travel, it always amazes me how quickly my boys connect with local children - whether in another town or across the world.
11:00 AM