Let’s make that bridge....

Last weekend we went out with few friends for a breakfast. We opted for an outdoor seating. The day was nice and breezy. The place was alive with people scurrying and kids running all around.

 My eyes fell on the family seated on a table adjoining us. They had two kids – a fairy of a daughter who seemed to be 4-5 years old and constantly talking, and a 1-year-old toddler who refused to settle down anywhere.

 While the mother was kept busy with the toddler, I observed that the father was completely engrossed listening to the daughter. She had much to say!

 What caught my special attention was that the father had no eye for anything that was buzzing around him, nor the food that was placed in front of him, except his daughter. He had the same expression that we adorn in a board room meeting prior to the Q3 closings – pinched forehead and wrinkled lips; the future of the Universe resting on our shoulders.

 I was curious! What on the earth did a 4-years old had to say that drew that kind of attention from the father?

 Well, nothing! Or rather, our grown-up version of ‘nothing’.

 The snippets that I caught involved a details bulletin of Papa Pig losing his spectacles, Bozo, her little fluffy puppy, lost an eye post a washing machine treatment, while munchkin got wet in the rain. Further, she needed to buy gifts for her friend’s birthday, and she wants shoes with glitters. There were more, but I confess the lingua was beyond my level of understanding!

 The father listened attentively to each and every word that the daughter spoke, responded with all gravity to the highlighted situations and asked relevant questions that assured her that she can handle them all by herself –

 “Where do you think he used his spectacles last?”

“I think you can go and buy an eye for your puppy. I will take you there.”

“So, should we put munchkin in the sun or use a blower instead?”

“Would you like to buy the gift and your shoes today?”

 There was no patronizing or making light of the situations. No dismissive tone or evasive attitude. Everything was important to him because it was important to her. It was heartening to watch and a moment to ponder.

  What did this little girl have?

This little girl had a father who listened to her. She will grow up knowing that her father will listen to everything she ever has to say – why? Because he listened to her when she spoke about funny shoes and laces. She will always be able to share and communicate, because he made that bridge and was making it stronger every moment. As she grows up to be a woman, she will know that through all her fears, apprehensions and struggles, her father will be right beside her.

 Imagine, how beautifully she will be equipped to do life!

 When we talk about the communication gap between generations, I guess we are referring to this bridge. As parents the job of building this bridge falls on us. If we haven’t cared enough to listen to the small talks when they were little, we cannot expect them to share the big things when they are in their teens.

 The bridge is real. Through this bridge will walk their weird dreams and unheard-of aspirations, their problems, their thought process, and their lives as a whole. There will be ups and downs in their lives, and as parents, our last prayer is to know that we don’t leave her alone in that bridge. Or worst still – we did not build that bridge at all. We need to make this bridge and make it strong and safe. Light it with colorful lights, hopeful blooms and meet them halfway. Let them know that every time they look back, we are there. They can then fly their flights of desire with confidence and freedom.

 So, let’s just listen when they speak. Let’s make that bridge.

  The views expressed in the blog is purely mine and do not represent the opinions of any entity whatsoever with which I have been, am now or will be affiliated.