What's your thing?

What thing did you have with your dad when you were a kid?

One of the keys to good memories with your kids is having a tangible item you share just with them. Right now I have airplanes with my son. We collect them, learn their names, and fly them through the house and yard. I am storing up fun times in his little head that I hope he never forgets. The material things we build and share with our loved ones are vital ingredients in the glue that binds us together.

The idea of building memories with you kids while building things came to me when I was watching one of the special features at the end of the movie Grand Torino. The movie is about the relationships an aging man has with his sons, neighbors and his '72 Grand Torino. One of the bonus features on the DVD highlights the relationship men in particular have with their cars. A guy gets rather nostalgic about the Mustang he built with his dad as a teen. As he reflected on that time in his life he got choked up. Just like keys unlock that car, the car unlocked emotions tied to the bond he and his father share. I started asking myself; what thing do I share with my son? Did I have a thing with my dad?

Make sure you have a thing with your kids. You may need it down the road. It's nice to know you have a common bond around a thing that time, distance, or circumstances can't break. Bring your kids into a part of your world or dive into theirs. Tie flies for fishing, build model cars, work on puzzles, play or listen to music. Those artifacts of love will store lessons and adventures you share that last a life time.