Wishes -- for the little things

In the week leading up to Father's Day (and after writing a sappy note to my handsome hubby and the dad-to-be) I've found myself thinking about all the many little things I love about that man.

And it led me to a wish for Baby Z (I've really been slacking with the wishes posts!).
I wish the little man recalls and enjoys and cherishes all of those little things about the people who love him dearly, even the embarrassing ones.

I remember a lot of quirky, odd things about my mom, and I often wonder how many of them I've made up or changed over the years. But I remember them all the same.
Like how she used to say that rain on a Wednesday was good luck. I was born on a Wednesday, but I'm pretty sure it was snowing that February, but who knows what made her think that. I still smile every time I hear raindrops in the middle of the week.
My mom also had a GREAT laugh. My dad has told me several times that he hears her laugh in my voice sometimes. I love that.
My mom always smelled like coconut, probably because of her Hawaiian Tropic suntan oil she wore nearly daily in the summertime.
I loved traveling to see relatives who lived near New York City and how every time we got close, she would ask me if I could see the Statue of Liberty, or the Twin Towers from the highest point on the bridge. I point it out to Scott now every trip.

I have fantastic memories with my dad, too.
How he dropped me off at the high school one day in the dump truck. (I was trying to play hookie!)
My dad snorts when he laughs really hard. (Scott pointed that out to me). I love it.
When my mom passed away, my dad was tough as nails. Except for one morning when I woke up earlier than normal and found him kneeling down in front of a photo of her, in tears. I don't think he knew I saw, but that action spoke volumes about the path we had to walk together from that point on.
I love my dad's big bear hugs. He's Papa Bear, after all.

What will Baby Z think about when he reflects on his Daddy? Will it be his dad's sense or humor and great smile and laugh? Will it be his love of Yuengling, the Eagles and road trips to nowhere in particular? And how he can never get lost. I mean, the man is a walking GPS.

What will Zachary see in his mom? I really can't even guess at that one. Maybe my love of writing; maybe my ability to cry at the same movie I've seen 158 times already or at Kodak commercials that remind me of him. Maybe my love of family and important friends.

I just hope that Zachary sees the importance of the little things in the people he loves -- the giving spirit of his Grandma, Debbie; the love of sports in his grandfather, Calvin; the beautiful soul in people like his Chochie Alice. There are so many big things out there --- things that will knock him down, things that will be intimidating and all-consuming for better or for worse.

What the world needs is an appreciation for the little things in life.
I wish this for my son.