Krystin, Bubba, and Jon
There is a TV show I like a lot. The title is Shalom at Home. Shalom, of course, means peace. There is this young rabbi who has a wonderful knack of bringing families in crisis back to peace in their home. I think he beats Dr. Phil. Of course, he doesn’t just counsel. He really gets in there.
First he video-tapes the family. They know they are being taped, but even so, I’ve seen some nasty things, like older siblings yelling, “I’m going to kill you,� and actually beating up on their younger brother or sister. I’ve seen some families in terrible states that I would think are hopeless.
Yet this rabbi turns them around. What he does has nothing to do with religion. It just happens he’s a rabbi.
He lets the parents and children see themselves on video and weep.
And then he sets up situations that change the family dynamics. For example, he will take the family to a gym to play basketball, put the parents on one team, and the children on another. The children, who hated each other are now on the same team and find themselves cooperating with each other and having fun. The same for the parents.
The rabbi does more hands-on things. He will stay in his little trailer with all his equipment while the family is doing an assignment he has given them — painting the TV room in their basement, for example. The rabbi is connected to each person by ear phones, and he will make occasional comments and suggestions. When the family members say or do something wonderful, the rabbi commends them. He will also make suggestions to individuals as well. In one episode, he whispered to the teen age boy who had previously disconnected himself from his family and was going to move out: “This is a good time to bring your mother a glass of water.â€?
Such a little thing. You should have seen the mother’s face light up when her previously antagonistic son gave her a glass of water. You should have seen the boy’s face change as he gave his mother the water. And you should have seen the big hug his mother gave the son. The two of them melted even more when the son hugged his mother back.
Truly this rabbi who has a name I never remember works miracles.
Now, what does this have to do with Bubba, Krystin, and Jon?
Krystin and Jon are two of my daughter’s husband’s grandchildren, and that makes Krystin and Jon and their two younger brothers Lauren’s grandchildren, and mine too.
Lauren told me that they were remarkable children. Jon is the oldest, 15, then Krystin, 13, and then Matt, 8, and Zach, 4. From everything I know, each child is wonderful, outgoing, friendly and absolutely loving, and they are all very good to one another. Lauren said that when she and Keith visited in California, Krystin asked if she could do laundry for them. What teen-age girl do you know who would think of that? What a contrast to the children who appear on Shalom in the Home.
John came to visit here recently to help Keith with some remodeling work around the house. John is a regular kid, (has some piercing) yet he came right up to me and gave me a big hug. How many teen age boys do that?
Krystin flew out here just a few days ago, and Jon could hardly wait for her to get here. They love each other, are good friends. Jon told me, “I miss my little brothers too.�
What did their parents do to raise four such great children who are genuinely happy to be with one another and be considerate of and appreciative of each other and of everyone else too? What is their secret?
I understand that these extraordinary parents have not always had smooth sailing in their marriage. Their financial situation has not always been swift. Yet this mother and father have raised outstanding children. They deserve a parenting award. What is that this mother and father do that so rightly brings out the best in their children? What is it?
Now, you might be wondering where Bubba comes into the picture?
Keith and Lauren got Bubba for Jon and his family. Isn’t Bubba adorable? But he does misbehave. You’ll see a picture of him later biting Krystin’s ear.
Keith, Lauren, Jon, Krystin, and Bubba are all driving back to California tonight so Jon and Krystin can get back home in plenty of time for school.
Bye, Krystin and Jon, come see me in Argentina.
but thank you for those kind words!!! Well i loved meeting you and i hope i can come visit you down in argentina!!! best of luck!!! Love You Krystin
Godwriting is a blog by Gloria Wendroff and is about Gloria's daily life as the Godwriter of the Heavenletters project that is having a profound effect on the lives of people around the world.
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