David Rosenman is a physician, assistant professor and father of two young children. Recently, when he took his 9-year-old daughter out for breakfast, something happened that made a lasting impression on him. He shared his simple story on Facebook and since then thousands of people have embraced its message about what it means to really spend time with family…
“Dear Fellow Human Beings,
“This morning, at her request, I took our 9-year-old daughter to a coffee shop. She brought with her a little crocheting activity; I brought the newspaper, a notebook & pen, and my phone. This was going to be an outing not unlike others we’d had before: while sitting at the same table, we’d do our own things — she’d keep herself occupied with something, and I’d catch-up on emails, organize my week, get work done, etc. Sound familiar?
“Today, she made one additional request: ‘Daddy, can you not read the paper or doodle or check email today? Can we just be together?’ I’m not trying to be melodramatic; that was her question.
“So today, we were together. She showed me her yarn project. I recalled the day she was born. We compared notes about whether or not couples at other tables were on “dates” (she likes to impersonate people on dates — resting her smiling face on her hand and practicing a starry-eyed stare). She told me about her friends and their hamsters. I watched her chew her breakfast sandwich and melted a little bit as I thought about how much I love her.
“I wished it hadn’t taken her past experience and her courageous reaching out for me to give her the attention she so wanted and needed.”
“Before we left, I went up to the counter to order a take-out snack for her brother. When I returned to our table, there was a note, left face-down, in front of my seat. My daughter told me that a woman, before leaving the coffee shop, had asked her if I was her father and said that the message was for me. I looked around (nobody was there) and flipped over the paper to find the words below.”
Photo credit: Facebook / David Rosenman
“This anonymous message was enough of a reinforcement for me, that I hope more people might be guided by its power and by its author’s thoughtfulness.”
“‘Please don’t wait for your child or other loved one to plead for your attention like mine did — he or she might not. Expect that no one will leave a note for you — such beauty in this world is far too rare. I invite you to share the gift of this experience with me: choose to be present today — even for just a little while — for someone you love. If you see it happen somewhere, consider leaving a note — it sure does leave an impression.”
What an incredible reminder to never underestimate how important it is to really pay attention to one another!
Dear Fellow Human Beings,
This morning, at her request, I took our 9-year-old daughter to a coffee shop. She brought…Posted by David Rosenman on Sunday, November 22, 2015
David’s post and its powerful message is deservedly going viral. Please share it with your friends as a reminder to spend quality time together.
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