Just Show Up

A little girl walked into her dad’s den. She was thrilled to see him and brought all the books and toys she wanted to play with him.

The next day she walked in, he wasn’t there.

Following day, he was there.

Two days later, he wasn’t there.

I am reminded of an episode of Grey’s anatomy where a caregiver is freaking out because he will have to handle everything with the new baby as his wife fights life and death. He asks the doctor, “How am I ever going to be able to do? It was she who did everything. I don’t know a thing.”

The doctor says it’s a simple trick, “Just Show Up”. I realised it is how simple or difficult parenting truly is. Our children need our presence more than presents.