Rubberbands
By Bo Sanchez
& nbsp; Let me tell you a crazy story I heard recently. There's this husband who out of sheer love for his wife decided to prove it to her. So he swam the widest oceans, crossed the deepest rivers, and climbed the highest mountains to show his deep devotion to her.
& nbsp; But in the end, she divorced him.
& nbsp; Why?
& nbsp; Because he was never home. (Get it?)
& nbsp; Let me tell you an experience I had as a kid. One day, I asked Mom, "Why do my shoes keep eating my socks?" As a young boy, that was always a mystery for me. All my other classmates never had that problem. Their socks remained tight and high up their legs the entire day.
& nbsp; Mom didn't answer my question but simply gave me two rubberbands which I dutifully placed around the top of my socks. To this day, fifteen years later, I still have permanent circle marks around my legs. But aside from giving me this slight defect, the two bands worked like magic.
& nbsp; It never occurred to me that Dad and Mom didn't have the money to buy a new pair of socks for me. So I wore five-year-old socks, all soggy, grayish, and garterless.
& nbsp; And yet amazingly, I never complained. I believe it was because Dad was always home when I needed him. Every night after coming from work, we'd jog together, sit around, and talk about Tarzan, Farrah Fawcett Majors, God, and what I wanted to be when I grow up (a stockholder). On Saturdays, we'd walk to Cubao, eat a hotdog-on-a-stick, and buy new rubber bands before going home.
& nbsp; I've learned that in truth, we don't want our loved ones to show their love for us in big ways. Swimming the widest oceans, crossing the deepest rivers, and climbing the highest mountains seem spectacular - but that's not what we really want. Deep in our hearts, we just want them home. With us.
& nbsp; Sometimes, God will operate that way. Suddenly, He decides not to answer our prayers, or fill our need, or heal our sickness, or give us the miracle we're asking for. (He's got reasons why He won't, and believe me - they're pretty good ones.)
& nbsp; So He'll just be there beside you, holding you in a hug. Sharing your pain. Weeping as you weep. Oh, He might give you some rubber bands. And that small comfort from Him will be more than enough to sustain you.
& nbsp; Because the most essential truth you already know. Daddy's home.
posted by: childish (reply)
post date: 08.09.05 (10:56 am)
what a beautiful story.
posted by: preceptlady (reply)
post date: 08.09.05 (12:09 pm)
I wore rubber bands too and sometimes I still do.
That is a beautiful story. Brought back many memories. Thanks.
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posted by: Deanna (reply)
post date: 08.09.05 (1:19 pm)
What an awesome story. I really enjoyed reading that, thank you!
posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 08.09.05 (3:28 pm)
I have two teenagers who seem, often, not to appreciate the sacrifices their parents make on their behalf. But I have a twenty year old daughter who has, finally, come to express deep appreciation for us. Such revelation makes all the sacrifices quite worthwhile.
Great story.
posted by: graceshaker (reply)
post date: 08.09.05 (6:00 pm)
i would really love to have had
a good relationship with my dad.
good posts are those that make you think and/or remember. this one did both. thanks. Ü
posted by: danggi (reply)
post date: 08.09.05 (11:41 pm)
I love this beautiful story. It highlights how the little things that we take for granted everyday plays distinct roles in our lives.
I sincerely believe that spending time with our love ones is one of the greatest gift we can give to them. It is priceless.
posted by: jennjr (reply)
post date: 08.10.05 (6:21 am)
Thank you.
This actually brought a tear to my eye. It's funny how something like this post can help shift my perspective on a lot of things.
Thanks, again.
posted by: theseeker (reply)
post date: 08.10.05 (6:27 am)
Reply to: childish
Glad you enjoyed it.
posted by: theseeker (reply)
post date: 08.10.05 (6:28 am)
Reply to: preceptlady
I did too :)
I can still remember my boyscout knee high socks being held by a pair of rubber bands.
posted by: theseeker (reply)
post date: 08.10.05 (6:31 am)
Reply to: Deanna
You're welcome my friend.
I can really relate to this one, and sniffle a little bit whenever I read it.
posted by: theseeker (reply)
post date: 08.10.05 (6:32 am)
Reply to: graceshaker
What a great assessment and compliment to the story. Exactly the reasons why I decided to share it here :)
You're welcome.
posted by: theseeker (reply)
post date: 08.10.05 (6:38 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
I used to resent my parents' especially my father's tough love for me. But as I grew up, I realized that I wouldn't be the man I am if not for them (used by God of course).
Sometimes this same reason keeps me from disciplining my daughter, fearing that it might be too harsh for her. But I also recognize that I will be doing wrong to her if I don't correct her. I'm just hopeful that when she grows up, she will be like one of your daughters who appreciates you and your wife.
posted by: theseeker (reply)
post date: 08.10.05 (6:40 am)
Reply to: danggi
Indeed, spending time with your love ones is one of the most underestimated ways of showing love to them.
I am glad that my daughter is starting to enjoy our trip to the library. She actually insist on going every weekend. I hope this will be one of the things she will remember fondly when she grows up.
posted by: theseeker (reply)
post date: 08.10.05 (6:53 am)
Reply to: jennjr
The author's writings have touched me in a deep way also, especially this one.
You're welcome :)
posted by: privateobsse (reply)
post date: 08.11.05 (9:02 am)
That was beautiful. :)
posted by: theseeker (reply)
post date: 08.12.05 (10:47 am)
Reply to: privateobsse
You might want to check out his other writings on my blog :)
posted by: mnash (reply)
post date: 08.12.05 (11:33 am)
I feel like my children have so much more than I do, but still feel bad when I can afford to do the extra sometimes. Then again, the way they reciprocate love and happiness I think I am giving them something I can't buy.....love and happiness.
posted by: theseeker (reply)
post date: 08.12.05 (12:24 pm)
Reply to: mnash
And that's all they need really, love and happiness.
Sometimes, working parents feel guilty when they spend too little time with their children. This causes them to buy whatever their children ask them. This is a sure way of spoiling a child and teaching her to get his satisfaction from material things rather than from her parents love.
posted by: TheBishop (reply)
post date: 08.18.05 (6:00 am)
I love that story. :)
That's one of my things too: quailty time :)
Thanks for sharing that
posted by: FinalyFree (reply)
post date: 08.18.05 (6:56 am)
I never appreciated either of my parents, truly appreciated them, until I had children of my own. Certainly brings a new perspective to things doesn't it? Thank you for the beautiful story :)
posted by: theseeker (reply)
post date: 08.18.05 (7:38 pm)
Reply to: TheBishop
Quality time is good, but quantity time is better :)
posted by: theseeker (reply)
post date: 08.18.05 (7:45 pm)
Reply to: FinalyFree
Indeed. Irks me to death when I see children who don't respect their parents. Just wanna slap them silly :)
We attended an 18th birthday party of the teenage daughter of a friend of ours. When it came to the time to thank all the people who attended her party, she took a long time to talk about her best friends, her "sisters" as she calls them. Then she thanked the people who arranged the party, the people who performed, you know everyone who attended. She was about to end her speech, and as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, she remembered to thank her parents!
posted by: mnash (reply)
post date: 08.21.05 (3:01 pm)
Reply to: theseeker
It is weird here in Texas. Our county is ranked as one of the highest in the nation as far as debt goes. Probably buying their kids whatever they want in response to guilt for working so much.
posted by: Eka (reply)
post date: 09.01.05 (3:11 am)
You're right about that; with our loved ones, it's the little things that matter. I consciously try to take nothing for granted, knowing full well that moments gone can never be recovered.
That was a very touching story by the way. I recall the things my mum did to and for me as a kid. I'll admit there were times I thought she hated my guts and was punishing me. But, now I know better. When we talk, I try to tell her that they weren't sacrifices, but gestures of love. A sacrifice is when you exchange a higher value for one of lesser value. I like to believe she did those things because she valued me more....
Missing you already!
