by Forest Grene

Created on: July 26, 2008

I rushed into the gym to get to my class.I had my workout gear on and as I brushed past the staff office door I heard one of the familiar and rather good looking instructors announce, " I feel so fat today1" This was funny coming from a very fit guy about age 22.I had to stop and remark, "You think you feel fat? How do you think I feel at four months pregnant?"

The three of them stopped and just stared at me respectfully. I guess I was in pretty good shape. I had been working out since at least the age of twelve in competative gymnastics, soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming,diving,jogging and the like.I certainly was not the best athlete in the world but I sure had a fire under my feet for it.It was a bit like I was driven, actually.

Many years later, after giving birth the three boys(not all at the same time) I have been reflecting on all the activity I have tried to role model to my busy clan. Between the three of them, they have done soccer, football, Karate, swimming to almost life guard level, snowboarding, skiing, paintball,Track and field, jogging and weight training. If I were to allow it, there would be more than this but I simply cannot add anything else to the schedule. On top of this we all play the guitar, take in concerts when we can and rock out as much as possible in a creative frenzy.By the way a tried and true way to handle teenage rock music rebellion is to listen to heavier rock than they do.

Truly, as I stop to think about it, their interests have expanded from my interests. In addition to sports and music, I am a theatre buff: my middle child is very interested in this area and he was in a play this Christmas with his father and I.

As a whole family we cherish the outdoors and nothing renews our spirit like a hike or a camping trip. We are all the same in this regard and I beleive this stems from my first love, that of animals and nature.

Now, don't get me wrong, I can hang out and do nothing with the best of them and the junk food cupboard is fully stocked as I write.Camping trips are simply a good excuse to pig out and the one area I falter in is my love for sweet and salty junk! But we all take Omega 3 each day to counter this sin.

Spiritually, some role modelling has taken place as well and I realise that this is a gift my parents passed onto me more than any other gift, from the age of 11 onwards: they modelled necessity of a spiritual awareness, amidst a material and often tragic world. My kids are choosing their path and each one has a sense of who they are at a spiritual level.The comments they make to me reflect this and the way they manage their lives supports thier belief system.

Physical, emotional and spiritual health are gifts to our children.Sharing our gifts and talents wiht them helps them become who they are and this can be a generational bestowing of our love for our kids.

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