I had a eureka (almost surreal) moment a while ago, making lunch for the family. Growing up, it used to baffle me over that my dad, after a busy work week, on his rest day, would give both the chef and housekeeper time off. And then he would proceed to strap an apron and go about the mundane task of making both breakfast and lunch for the family.

Now, that would be neat and dandy, if only it didn’t involve me! Under his watchful tutelage and feigning enthusiasm, I would, very grudgingly (but carefully) carve the chicken, making sure the bile didn’t spill, and all the pieces were cut to size. I even learned to bake bread. Boyo! I couldn’t wait for the day I would walk out of that house and start a home where I was a principal of the rules. Much like my youngest who says when she gets kids of her own, she will stockpile candy so they can have it any day, any time. Even after they brush their teeth at night. Ahem.

Alas! In the quiet hours in the kitchen today, it occurred to me that Old man Zik (God rest his soul) had won. You see, the quick parenting lesson is that what you model for children remains. It’s only a matter of time before it manifests. That goes for cooking, keeping your word, faith, et cetera. And the reverse holds: Model dishonesty, sloppiness and carry-on-as-you-please, and abracadabra! Hocus-pocus. You have it squarely bequeathed to them.

The parenting years go by ever so quickly; today they are toddlers, tomorrow it’s an empty nest. Question IS: Are you making the most of the time to leave a legacy imprint for posterity? #Sunday