The Palisadian-Post presents an homage to Will Rogers’ column, “Will Rogers Says,” with a column by Palisadian Jimmy Dunne—on life in the “greatest town in America.”
Greet Your Kids Like You’re a Dog
As a young dad, I was forever hunting for that magic manual with all the answers on “how to raise a kid.”
Never found that book.
My parents never found it either.
As a dad, sometimes you look back at things you wish you could take another swing at.
Here’s one on my list.
I learned it from watching all the fabulous dogs we’ve been so lucky to have in our lives.
……………
You know how when you walk in the door, and your dogs run up and jump all over you? Just go absolutely looney tunes? Their tails spin around like helicopters?
And they try so hard to say something like, “Aaaaarrrrhhhrr. Ouuurrrrhhhhrrr.” Trying their best to say, “I just love you and missed you so, so, so very much that I can’t see straight.”
I think they’re on to something.
Moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, here’s an idea.
When you see your kids or your grandkids …
Do that.
Every time.
Whether they’re 2 months—or 32.
Give it to ’em with everything you’ve got.
Every noise, every hug, every everything that tells ’em they’re the bee’s knees.
That they bring you so much crazy joy.
That whatever wonderful is, that’s what they are.
And, in return, I think we all get a door prize.
A little glimpse of that kid in all of us again.
Gotta go.
I think my grandkid just walked in our front door.
“Auurrrrrrhhh. Ouwwwoooohhh!”
Jimmy Dunne is a modern-day Renaissance Man; a hit songwriter (28 million hit records), screenwriter/producer of hit television series, award-winning author, an entrepreneur—and a Palisadian “Citizen of the Year.” You can reach him at j@jimmydunne.com or jimmydunne.substack.com.
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