Yesterday the ‘Aha Moment Tour 2010’ came to Tulsa and I was invited to tell the Napkin Dad story. They are sponsored by Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company. You may have seen the ‘Aha Moments’ commercials on TV. They are going around the country in a very cool Airstream RV videotaping people talking about their ‘Aha moment’ in life. They will post them on their website throughout the summer. When they are done people can vote on the ones they would like to see put on TV. I will let you know when the video is up.
When I arrived at the RV there was a young woman, Kait, charged with checking me in. We had to wait while the person in front of me was interviewed so she asked me to tell a little bit about my aha moment. She had a wonderful look in her eyes as I told the story. When I was done she sheepishly told me it reminded her of something her father had done.
She said “of course, it is nothing like what you did”, and then she told the story. “He would leave for work very early in the morning, before I was awake. But he would always leave a little folded note for me outside my bedroom door. It wasn’t fancy, just a note saying he loved me, or maybe to remember to do something, like homework or be good. I remember that it was always the first thing I would do every morning, get up and go read my note. I was always so excited to get that note.”
The only false note in that story is about it not being like what I did. IT IS EXACTLY LIKE WHAT I DID! It has the same immeasurable amount of love, thought and care from her father as what I gave. He didn’t do it like I did, but that has nothing to do with the worth of his expression. He loved his daughter and expressed it as only he could, with his creativity, mind and heart. And guess what? She kept them too.
The first and best ‘Aha Moment’ for every child is when they realize they are loved. They don’t want to be loved by me, or some TV star or some cartoon character. They want to be loved by their mother and father. If you are a mother or father who finds a way, YOUR way, to express to your children that they are loved, then you are the best agent of love the world has ever known. If you aren’t that mother or father yet, no time like the present to become one.
She said “of course, it is nothing like what you did”, and then she told the story. “He would leave for work very early in the morning, before I was awake. But he would always leave a little folded note for me outside my bedroom door. It wasn’t fancy, just a note saying he loved me, or maybe to remember to do something, like homework or be good. I remember that it was always the first thing I would do every morning, get up and go read my note. I was always so excited to get that note.”
The only false note in that story is about it not being like what I did. IT IS EXACTLY LIKE WHAT I DID! It has the same immeasurable amount of love, thought and care from her father as what I gave. He didn’t do it like I did, but that has nothing to do with the worth of his expression. He loved his daughter and expressed it as only he could, with his creativity, mind and heart. And guess what? She kept them too.
The first and best ‘Aha Moment’ for every child is when they realize they are loved. They don’t want to be loved by me, or some TV star or some cartoon character. They want to be loved by their mother and father. If you are a mother or father who finds a way, YOUR way, to express to your children that they are loved, then you are the best agent of love the world has ever known. If you aren’t that mother or father yet, no time like the present to become one.
Drawing, quote and commentary © Marty Coleman
>Kait, I am glad you liked it, your story inspired me!
Trish, you are right. How many times have children come back to parents as adults and told them how much they appreciate the discipline and hard lessons they taught. It is as much an expression of love when done right as any other.
Emommy, thank you! Nice to hear coming from some one extraordinary.
>I love this – what a wonderful story – and such a very special message!
>Marty, that's is such a wonderful, heart warming story to share. You are so right about it all too. Love can be shown in so many different ways. Not only in loving expressions but also when we as parents have to lay the law down and be stern.It's the simple little actions of thoughtfulness that we should all take the time to do for each other.
Thank you,
>Marty, I love it! We had so much fun with you yesterday at the studio. Keep in touch, I'd love to rack your brain about more photo tips.
-Kait, aha moment tour