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She sat on my lap, her big blue eyes wide open and staring intently into my own. And then she laughed.
"When I look in your eyes, I see me!"
Jordan was about three years old at the time, and I had told her what beautiful eyes she had, and she wanted to see what color my eyes were, but what she saw was her own reflection.
I have always been amazed at the profundity of children. They are so untouched by the world, and their perspective is so honest and fresh, and so often when they speak, they say the most amazing things. And then they turn and walk away, and we are left pondering the deeper meanings of their innocent statements.
I've thought about what Jordan said here many times over the years. What greater statement could a father wish for? I see myself in each of my kids.
In Emma, I see myself in her unpredictability, her interest in everything. I see myself in her curiosity, and my wife tells me the attitude and the temper are all me.
I see myself in Matthew's naturally average abilities at sports. We're not great but we're competent. I see myself in his peacemaking (I realize that seems to contradict what I said about attitude and temper -- we're a complicated bunch) he has a profoundly gentle soul.
But with Jordan, I see myself through her eyes. She sees what I see.
That's a hard thing to explain. But she views the world from the same perspective as me.
Jordan is my photographer, and my writer. Jordan is my artist.
She sees the beauty in everything around her, and is touched by it. She loves the experience and satisfaction of creation. She, like her father, is moved by creative instincts.
I know there are some tough days ahead. Jordan, in so many ways, is different than me, and that gap -- somedays -- seems wider than ever. But I'm so grateful that we have this connection. I'm thankful that our common ground is creation and the love of beautiful things.
I hope that when Jordan looks in to my eyes she still sees herself. I hope she also sees the love and pride that I have for my first born.
When I look in her eyes, I see me.
18 comments:
What a BEAUTIFUL post. I hope she gets to read it. And that she knows how true it is.
Tears are rolling down my cheeks. Thanks for such a great post. It is so grand to be able to appreciate your recognition of your 'eyes' and what they see. Both you and your daughter are lucky to have each other! Blessings!
That is a really beautiful post. A bit of a tear jerker really.
Wait until you get grandchildren! These similarities are even more amazing when you spot them! Must be the genes!
your posts often cause me to ponder.... wonderful
What a wonderful post...thanks for making me all teary-eyed! As my kids get older, I love to see pieces of me starting to show in them.
Children really do melt our hearts with the simplest phrases. I love how well you know your children and express that through your writing.
Absolutely gorgeous. :)
I think I've said this before: Quit your day job and do portraits. The photos are fabulous and the text is amazing. And in your spare time, publish a book with your photos and stories.
Seriously.
my dad passed 4 years ago, I see him every time I look in the mirror
GREAT post... very well written! I know what you mean, I love the innocence and purity of children (well at least most of them)!! I hate that that innocnce will be gone someday!!
That is so sweet. You made me tear up!
Beautiful. The girl and the post.
*sniff* you always have such great posts!
That is sooooo cool!
And you know what is amazing, even though our kids joined us through adoption, I do see us in our kids!
I knew when I came back to visit you would still be writing from your heart and giving us your pearls of thought. Your photography is beautiful of course. I am happy to be visiting again and glad to see you doing so well!
Beautiful as always.
Jordan is too.
What a beautiful post and very lovely pictures to go along with it!
I just found you via Momisodes blog and have been going backwards reading your entries. Great. Great writing and photos. I think I'm about to become a regular here...
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