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Abstract

th children are precious. Moreover, they teach us as much as we teach them… when we pay attention.</p><p id="a338">In my experience, the moments in which I have been fully present with the people in my life have been the most joyous. Or, if not always joyous, then certainly life filled moments. In presence, I shed the uniform of doing that I frequently wear and become dressed in loving connections and, for that <i>“eternity in an hour,”</i> life unfolds effortlessly.</p><p id="92ab">A story I shared about my first experience crossing a Saigon street entitled: <b>Covenant of the Serpentine Dragon </b>can be found here:</p><div id="213e" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/covenant-of-the-serpentine-dragon-6290539115e3"> <div> <div> <h2>Covenant of the Serpentine Dragon</h2> <div><h3>Travelogue 4: Saigon and the Madness of Scooters</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*jnnK1KldQznef-A64wWeSw.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="c024">More examples of my poetic reflections on life and lessons can be read here:</p><div id="6d9b" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/nature-shatters-sky-800d2b9dbf27"> <div> <div> <h2>

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Nature Shatters Sky</h2> <div><h3>A Haibun</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*EMmbb_bAw-dT1axKMd9ktQ.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="9654" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/griefs-paradox-8aef48a61151"> <div> <div> <h2>Grief’s Paradox</h2> <div><h3>The station dwells where else but in the city’s bowels. I descend.</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*4Bk_AsuRlQ9TdJ_8B4Nqow.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="e125" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-power-of-poetry-3d8dfd2beecc"> <div> <div> <h2>The Power of Poetry</h2> <div><h3>how to submit?</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*bvJ_eXhQ6TcN7aRwtSgWcQ.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

The Only Language That Matters

Lessons in Fatherhood

The only language that matters is presence You knew that but did not understand it not really, not until, without words you felt your own will shaken, undone even.

Like when you first crossed a Saigon street the madness of scooters, screaming and swarming into every open space and you staring uncertain — almost paralyzed

Yes, your sanity seemed undone And by such a little dragon — a hydra really but with so many hands and feet grabbing and moving, a force of nature.

Yet you SEE him and he sees you He smiles, a full fluffy grin of a smile and a hug, like being heated by the sun Suddenly you discover a deeper patience in you

So you cross over — together and now understand, really understand That the only language that matters is presence

This poem reflects the most important lesson I learned about parenting. Nothing else comes close. Really it is a lesson that applies to all relationships but it is absolutely essential with children.

Today more than ever we are all pulled in a million directions. The demands for our time and attention seem to be multiplying. But these moments we have with children are precious. Moreover, they teach us as much as we teach them… when we pay attention.

In my experience, the moments in which I have been fully present with the people in my life have been the most joyous. Or, if not always joyous, then certainly life filled moments. In presence, I shed the uniform of doing that I frequently wear and become dressed in loving connections and, for that “eternity in an hour,” life unfolds effortlessly.

A story I shared about my first experience crossing a Saigon street entitled: Covenant of the Serpentine Dragon can be found here: