Eric went to college at UCSD and so knows all the best surf spots down here in Del Mar and San Diego. It is here on this very same beach and in these same waves that he perfected his turns.
As I watch him with the kids, I think how much I love the continuity of having Jonathan learning to surf here in this same spot as his Dad and how as he teaches him to surf, it’s not just about surfing, but about learning how to stand. I jot down my thoughts and figure I will blog about it, but I didn’t get a chance because . . .
Eric put it much more eloquently on his blog; in his words:
"This week I am on a much needed
vacation with my family down in San Diego. Yesterday I took my 11-year
old son surfing in Del Mar – my favorite surf spot from my college
days. My son is just learning, so he lays on the 9-foot surfboard. I
spin him around, push him into the wave whitewash, and he tries to
stand up. As he races toward shore with his back to me, I watch him
while other waves wash over me.Then he paddles out to me after each
wave. We do this over and over…
Finally, he gets it! I watch him stand up with a look of jubilation on his face.
Maybe it’s too much salt water on my brain, but suddenly this little
metaphor pops into my head. As his father, I help my son learn to stand
and negotiate the waves of life. I remain farther out in deeper water
facing my own bigger waves. Nonetheless, it brings me satisfaction and
contentment to see my son achieve mastery over the little waves he
negotiates. Soon my life will fade. It will be my son’s turn soon. And
if do my job right, he’ll teach his son to stand too."
(Excuse me. Need Kleenex.)
Is it any wonder you fell in love with this man? What a world we would have if more children had fathers like Eric. Bravo, you married well, my wild Cuban girlfriend!N
Wow – that was beautiful. I’m teary-eyed after reading that.