I was having a discussion with my friends
that other night about children. More
specifically about which of our children was the favorite.
I told them this story. I was sitting at a bar one time at PF
Changs. My daughter Brooke was
bartending, my daughter Lauren and I were doing shots of Patron. It had been a rough day. And it was only 3:00. The other bartender says, “So who’s the
favorite child?” Without missing a beat
the girl’s both said, “Dan.”
Not true, I scoffed. But, I don’t
love them equally. They have three VERY
different personalities. You can’t love dissimilar
things the same. It’s like Pizza, Steak,
and chocolate. Love them all. But differently.
Daniel has a tough exterior, but
soft inside. If something is bothering
me he sees it before the others. He also
is the first to call me out when I am going in the wrong direction. His loyalty, honesty and integrity amaze me.
Lauren is a people pleaser as well
as a creative soul. She is the first to
try to make things better, also the first to be hurt. When she was traveling around Europe my
grandmother died and she called constantly to make sure I was all right. Her sensitive
and creative soul amazes me.
Brooke is strong, independent and
loving. When she was two a friend of
mine who was visiting asked if Brooke wanted to go home with her. Brooke looked over at me and said, “Bye, bye.” But she is fiercely protective of family. Her artistic abilities and loving soul amaze
me.
So my answer to my friends was this
- My favorite is the one that needs me.
My favorite is each one, for I hold them in my heart, where I cherish
the moments from their childhood, rejoicing in the exceptional people they have
become. I embrace their differences and appreciate
their similarities.
They all love animals. Probably more than most people. They all are appalled by injustice. All are involved in some form of fundraising
for various charities.
So I said to my friend, how, how do
you choose. The simple answer…You don’t.
You embrace.
