Child

I heard something earlier and it really sparked something in me.  It was a guy singing and he said, “He’s not just anyone, he’s my son.”
I thought that was beautiful and it got me thinking about so many relationships I see.  I have not had kids and no doubt it is one thousand ties more than I describe, but so often I see parents and their love for their kids is preeminent.  One thing though I have had parents.  Maybe contrary to the opinion of some, I was not hatched. 
Parents love each other but there is something about kids.  Kids are a product of that love.  The hope for kids seems to be to the best of both.  They are independent but something of both can generally be seen in the child.  I did something one time and I have never seen it so clearly.  “That’ my dad” I thought.
A mum said to me one time something like “whenever my daughter goes anywhere, a part of my heart goes with her.”  I love that.  Everyone must make their own way in the world, but the love of the parent for the child remains.  It does not matter if the child is six or sixty, parents want the best for their child.
When a child makes a mistake they parents feel it.  But their love I not conditional on their child being perfect.  Their love is born of the child being a part of them.  When the child hurts the parents feel it.  When the child has a win, the parents feel they are part of the victory. The child’s victory is the parent’s victory.
There is a Toyota parts ad at the moment which is ironic because the grandparents want to see a picture of the son’s baby on a phone.  The guy scrolls though and commentates on the fact all the pictures he is finding are of parts, and he states he has a picture of the child somewhere.
It is ironic because many parents dote over their children.  Every act is a milestone.  First words, first steps, first day, first job.  Parents may be hands off, but the interest is keen.  Even when the child blows it big time, the act may disappoint but the love remains.
Maybe that is not the experience of all, but it is the experience of most.  Even in messy divorces it is mostly the kids that are fought hardest over.  My parents divorced but they remined friends.
I will never forget moving in with my dad because I wanted to know him.  I had felt growing up that he had done heaps for me and loved me from a distance.  I wanted to experience a closeness I had not known.
We had a wonderful relationship.  Closeness is what we both wanted.  Maybe it was not stated, but it was our desire.  It seems that even when estranged there is a cord that binds a child to a parent.
In many relationships when a child returns to the parent, and it is the way it should be, the parent runs to the child.  Actions are not born of condemnation, but of starting again and continuing to want the very best for the child.