img_3764.jpgBig moment last night at our house. Halftime of the Ohio State vs. Michigan State game hit at the kids bedtime hour so we all headed upstairs for a story and prayers. Since the Buckeyes were getting beat by 20 when we went upstairs, my sons request to stay up and watch the rest of the game was denied by management (me). It wasn’t received well, but was received none the less. Off to bed he went.

I’m not sure how it is with your kids, but I wish I had a dollar for each time I have had to say “what do you say?” when a thank you was in order. For example, someone gives him a gift, or does a favor. Since he was born we have always had to follow that up with.. “What do you say?” The girls seem to have had this programmed into their DNA at birth. For my son it has been a training session since day one. He’s not rude or anything, “Thank you” just doesn’t come naturally for him.

So by the time I get back down to the TV, Ohio State is now down by 7 and then 3. Since I wanted to share the excitement with someone, I went up and told him the score and that if he wanted to watch a little bit he could (RETREAT!!!). He accepted and we watched about 30 minutes of the game together. I sent him back up to his room with about 5 minutes left in the game and OSU clearly out of it. Here’s the point of this long story…

He got out of bed a few minutes later and without prompting said “Dad…thanks for letting me stay up to watch the game” and went back to bed. It might not seem like much, but it was a big moment in our house. I won’t forget that. Some would say that he was plotting to stay up tonight to see our Tar Heels play (9pm on ESPN), but I don’t think so. I think it was a combination of me realizing I better treasure the moments he wants to spend together and him seeing that too. Long story for one little word….thanks.

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