Sunday at 3:00

Leave a comment April 2, 2013 drworobec

We had a wonderful Easter weekend- it was full of Spring sunshine, Easter egg hunts, and family gatherings. But the best part was Sunday at 3:00.

We live in a neighborhood full of young families- there are more strollers than cars, more baby bottles than beer bottles, and more schools than stores. It is a great place to raise our children, and that’s been reaffirmed many times since we bought our house nearly two years ago. What I didn’t count on though, was the seemingly simple moments that make the largest impact and create the biggest impressions on my children.

As we pulled both kids in the wagon around the neighborhood on Saturday morning, we noticed hand-made signs taped to the lightposts, announcing a ‘Free Bike Wash’, to take place on Sunday afternoon. The childish penmanship was neat and carefully written, and promised to ‘make your bike shine’. My 4-year-old son’s face lit up immediately.

Him: “You mean they’ll wash my bike?”

Me: “Yes. The address is listed on the sign. We can ride over tomorrow afternoon.”

Him: “How do they know how to wash bikes? Who will be washing the bikes? What will they use to wash the bikes?”

His curiosity and wonder was all-encompassing. Imagine: a neighborhood event, just for kids, organized by other kids. For him, it seemed too good to be true.

We walked over to the address listed on the signs, and talked to the 9-year-old boy who lives across the street from us. My shy little guy proudly announced that he would be bringing his bike to the Bike Wash at 3:00 tomorrow. As we went inside, our doorbell rang. It was the bike-washers bringing an appointment reminder note for Drew. Sunday 3:00. We hung the reminder on our fridge door. Then we hosted Easter dinner. We went to church. We did all sorts of wonderful family things while Sunday at 3:00 hung in the distance.

And when Sunday at 3:00 finally rolled around, as slowly as time passes in a 4-year-old’s world, it was raining. The Bike Wash went ahead anyways, and an impressionable little boy made new friends, felt a sense of community, learned the value of helping others, and had fun. All on Sunday at 3:00.

Have Kids, Will Travel

6 Comments March 19, 2013 drworobec

If you have children, perhaps you can relate. If you have young children, I’m sure you can relate…

We just got back from a sun-filled, fun-filled week in Phoenix, visiting my snowbird parents. Our 8-hour delay at Chicago’s O’Hare airport aside, the trip was hassle-free; my husband and I got to relax, and my children got memory-making grandparent time. But vacationing now is much, much different than my 20-something single self remembers.

I am the person with a bored, tired baby on a delayed flight. Smile at her and be kind to me. I once was you, and one day you may be me.

I am the person who has to haul a stroller, carseats, and a diaper bag through the airport so that my children can be safe and comfortable. Hold the door for me. Let me get off the elevator. If my belongings look cumbersome and awkward to you, imagine how they feel to me.

I am the person who has an inquisitive, energetic four-year-old. Model good manners. Exercise your patience. No one wants him to stop kicking your seat more than me.

I am the person who takes more time to check-in, to get through security, and to board the plane. Realize that I am doing my best to move quickly. We all started out as children, learning the ways of the world. Help me teach them the ways.

I am the person who stops to look at the dinosaur exhibit, the neon lights on the ceiling, and every water fountain in the airport. Go around me. Rush past me. But if you take the time, you may feel some of the joy that my children do in these ‘everyday’ things.

Put yourself in my shoes. Put yourself in their shoes. And enjoy it.

Basking in the Phoenix sun with Uncle Ryan and Auntie Al.

Enjoying the Phoenix sun with Uncle Ry and Auntie Al.

I Hope You Always

10 Comments February 26, 2013 drworobec

February 26th, 2013

To my dear Casey,

We are now four days away from your first birthday. How did this happen so quickly? One year ago, you were already four days past your due date, and I was grumpy and uncomfortable, impatiently waiting to meet you. You are a testament to the fact that time speeds up exponentially when you have children. You symbolize the best year of my life; the year that our family became complete.

You are growing quickly, my love, and I am cherishing each moment. These are my hopes for you:

I hope you always find excitement in simple things. Today, it’s playing in the basement, being outside, and eating ham. But when tomorrow comes, it will be watching sunsets, hearing your shoes crunch Fall leaves, and the smell of fresh coffee. Enjoy the small things.

I hope you always have an easy smile and a quick laugh. Show your happiness on the outside so that it may rub off on others.

I hope you always explore your environment. You are independent and curious and inquisitive. Spread your wings and fly.

I hope you always look to your big brother for guidance and companionship. Take care of each other.

I hope you always have people to hug and kiss before you go to bed. And before you go for a nap. And before you leave the house. Appreciate those people, take care of those people, remember how lucky you are to have those people and how lucky they are to have you.

But most of all, my sweet girl, I hope you always know how much we love you.

~Mommy