Lately I have been reflecting on reflections, literally and figuratively.  Perhaps it is the melancholy that I normally associate with the fast approaching Holiday Season, or maybe it is symptomatic of simply aging, and watching my kids grow.  It seems I notice mirrors and reflections at every turn these days, from the literal mirror mirror hanging on the wall, to the mirrored reflection I see of myself off the glare of the screen of my computer, phone or iPad.  Sometimes I am shocked and surprised by the reflections I see, because at first it is not me I see, but my own Dad.  I have to do a “double take” to realize it is me, and that yes, I must be starting to resemble my father that much. Mind you, I love and admire my Dad, so this is not a bad thing, just, in that fleeting moment of recognition, the similarities are surprising, if not startling.

Kids Are Mirrors Too

I also see reflections of myself in my children, in both the things they say and do, and ways they say and do them.  This too, at times, can be surprising.  Even though intellectually we know that we leave our imprint on our kids, both genetically and otherwise, now that my “kids” are really “young adults” in their own right, the traits they have adopted from their parents seem more pronounced as our mutually adult experiences become more closely aligned.  Work and study habits and ethic… Sense of humor (corny jokes and puns included)…  Even some less desirable traits seem to be constant reminders of the oft stated adage, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…”  This is a phrase I share with my offspring often, most recently in a post to my daughter’s Facebook wall the other day in response to her status update declaring, “Once again procrastination has gotten the best of me…”  I had to laugh as, though much improved from my younger days, I still might qualify as a professional procrastinator myself.

Of course, if procrastination is the worst trait to fall off this tree I have quite a lot to be thankful for (and I do).  For the most part, I am really happy with the reflections of my parents that I see in me, and the fruits of me and their mom that I see reflected in my kids.

How about you?  What are the reflections you see in your family? Are you surprised by them?

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 22, Ethan, 20 and Olivia, 19).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads podcast.?

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