Daddy, Do You Have Time?

Daddy, Do You Have Time?

Every now and then my daughter will ask if I have time. For her, my having time means we do something together. For example, play a card game, or Snakes and Ladders Game among other things. This past Saturday as we were headed out to do some shopping with her, she asked if I had some free time later.

I laid out my plans of the day for her. Part of my plans included going to help a family friend who needed my assistance. My daughter (7 years old) realized my schedule was somewhat full. Noticing her disappointment, I asked her what she had in mind. Her answer surprised me.

“Daddy, it is okay, you can go help our family friend. You see, you will always have me…but you will not always have him! So, it is okay.” She added with a sad but convincing tone.

I felt my heart sink. At 7 years of age…I did not want my daughter to have to make such tough decisions just to fit in my busy schedule. Consequently, moving forward, I have resolved to make time on a regular basis to ‘just do their’ things. Not that I have not been doing it already…but now, it will be ‘my kids time in their own terms.’ Say a prayer for me…this is not going to be easy…